R.L. Vannatter was born November 17, 1944, in Fifty-Six, Arkansas, to Troy E. and Lois G. Vannatter. He died on May 31, 2025, at 80 years of age.
R.L. married Wanda (Sanders) Vannatter on May 29, 1965. They were married for 60 years at the time of his death. One son, Tommy L Vannatter, was born to this Union.
R.L. worked for 42 years as a highly skilled and respected mechanic, seventeen years for Lackey Chevrolet Motor Company and twenty-five years as a Senior Mechanic for ARDOT. He retired from ARDOT on January 3, 2007. He was not only a highly skilled mechanic but could also repair anything around the household until his health deteriorated. R.L. enjoyed hunting, vacationing, and traveling with his family.
R.L. is survived by his wife Wanda, son Tommy (Mistie) Vannatter and their very special great-granddaughter Mya Serrano, whom they have raised as their own. He is also survived by one brother, Troy (Robyn) Vannatter, four sisters, Judy (Bill) Gillihan, Renie (Larry) Martin, Darleen Mullins, and Sherry (Steve) Verser, brothers-in-law, Bill Huffines, David Long, and James Thomson. Many nieces, nephews and cousins, 5 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.
R.L was preceded in death by one brother, Randy Vannatter and three sisters, Doris Vannatter, Shirley (Hoyt) Branscum, and Sharon Huffines. Also, preceded by sisters-in-law Colleen Long and Juanita Thomson.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025, beginning at 10:00 am, at Flatwoods Cemetery, in Mountain View, Arkansas.
Arrangements are entrusted to Mountain View Funeral Service.
