Cleo Bailey "Skipp" Styron

Cleo Bailey “Skipp” Styron of Little Rock, Arkansas, formerly of St. Vincent, Arkansas has passed away on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. He was born in San Antonio, Texas on September 20, 1931, the son of Cleo B. and Ida Styron. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church at St. Vincent, Arkansas, a U.S. Navy Veteran, and retired from U.S. Government and Cantu Services, Inc. While serving in the Navy he was a Teleman in the Korean War aboard the USS Luzon. He retired from the U.S. Small Business Administration with 37 years of service. Prior to his retirement his last position involved the regional responsibility for the management and direction of all procurement-related programs, serving the six-state area of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. During his years of service, he also represented the Dallas Region comprised of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, in several management roles including Assistant Regional Administrator and Regional Supervisor of the Prime Contracts Program. He also held Positions with the Departments of the Army and Air Force involved in federal procurement programs. Notable assignments included Director of Procurement and Contracting at Fort Sam Houston, Texas and Fort Irwin, California. After his first retirement he put his skills to work at Cantu Services, Inc. for 20 years before a second retirement, where he served as the Cantu’s Contract Specialist. He oversaw contracts for food service and operations of military dining facilities in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Washington, serving bases at Fort Sam Houston, Fort Polk, Fort Bliss, Fort Hood, Fort Sill, Fort Lewis and Keesler AFB. His wife, Mary was the love of his life. They enjoyed traveling with his work and in their RV after retirement. He also dearly loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They brought him so much joy every time he got to see and talk to them. Another one of his greatest joys was meeting his Aunt Lucille and cousin Russ and family when he was in his 60s. Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane Zimmerman Styron; two daughters, Jennifer Styron (Andy Vines) and Cherise Martini, both of Little Rock; one son, Shane Styron (Theresa) of Sherman, Texas; three grandsons, Brandon Martini, Fischer Vines and Pierce Ripa; four granddaughters, Shaela Hall (Nathan), Lacy Styron, Shelby Luna (Danny) and Bella Vines; five great grandchildren, Hannah Martini, Leo, Jasmine and Sebastian Luna, and Natalee Hall; and cousin, Russ (Kaye) Russell. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one granddaughter, Summer Martini. Visitation will be Friday, June 11th from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. Rosary service will be from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. and Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Vincent, Arkansas by Father Jim Burnie, Father Charlie Thessing and Deacon Steve Mallett. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, St. Vincent, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 11 Kaufman Lane, Hattieville, AR 72063, or CARTI Foundation 8910 Carti Way, Little Rock, AR 72205. A special thank you to Father Charles Thessing and Father Jim Burnie, Doctors Diane Wilder and James Kane, also to Linda Doyle, and wonderful caregivers, Rodney Frank Sr, Angela Robinson, Sonya Quince, Alice Lewis, Lavetrice Maha, Mary Alexander and Myrtle Moore.

Cleo Bailey "Skipp" Styron

September 20, 1931 - June 8, 2021