1931-2026
Milton Lee “Buddy” Temple, age 94, of Searcy, a longtime resident of Pine Bluff, passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Born July 9, 1931 in England, Arkansas, he was a son of the late Horace Milton Temple and Elma Hess Temple. He was raised in Pine Bluff and graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1949. He then proudly served in the United States Navy from 1950 until 1954.
For many years, Buddy worked for Middle South Services (later Entergy) and retired in 1991 as supervisor of computer services.
Buddy’s lifelong passion was golf. He was a five day-a-week golfer with a competitive spirit. He enjoyed playing in tournaments with fellow golfers, shooting his age, and making several holes-in-one. He also loved cheering for his favorite teams, the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Dallas Cowboys.
He and his wife, Earleen, moved to Searcy in 2002 to be near their family. Buddy quickly became acquainted with the country club golf course and made many cherished friends while on the links.
Buddy was a longtime faithful member of First United Methodist Church of Pine Bluff.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Earleen Baker Temple; his brother, Dan Temple; and two sisters, Rosemary Revils and Katy Wehking.
Survivors include his children, Terry Lynn Temple Parrott of Searcy and Greg Temple of Arlington, Tennessee; his grandchildren, Neil Parrott (Reena) of Herndon, Virginia, Laura Graham of Little Rock, and Grant Temple and Gabe Temple of Arlington, Tennessee; two sisters, JoAnn Hagan (John) of Pine Bluff and Shirley Wilson (Gary) of Shalimar, Florida; and his stepmother, Vertie Zappe. He was also the proud great-grandfather of James and Elle Graham of Little Rock.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 26, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son in Pine Bluff. Buddy’s funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jeff Jackson officiating. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith.” -2 Timothy 4:7
