Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Dr. Roebuck Seeking House Seat

Dr. Tommy Roebuck, a dentist, businessman and community leader in Arkadelphia has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for District 36 of the Arkansas State House of Representatives.

Dr. Roebuck, 62, is actively involved in the Arkansas Democratic Party, serving on the Clark County Central Committee and the Arkansas State Democratic Committee.

He served on the Arkadelphia Housing Commission for 13 years and as chairman for the three years. He was Clark County Red Cross Chairperson and served on the Quapaw Area Council for Boy Scouts. He was elected to the Arkadelphia School board for a five-year term and served as board president. He is currently a member of the board of directors of the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

He served on the Clark County Health Department board for eight years with three as chairman. He also served on the West Arkansas Health System Agency Council for eight years with two years as chairman.

In addition, he served on the State Health Coordinating Council for six years having been appointed by both former Governors Bill Clinton and Frank White. He served as vice chairman from 1985 to 1986. He is currently president-elect of the University of Tennessee Dental School Alumni board of directors.

He is also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

After graduating from Gould High School, Roebuck attended Arkansas A&M College in Monticello (currently UAM) and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Tennessee. After serving in the Army Dental Corps at Ft. Campbell, Ky., Dr. Roebuck returned to his native state in 1965 to begin his dental practice in Arkadelphia.

"I could not have found a better part of the state in which to live and practice dentistry," Roebuck states. "I owe the people of this area a debt of gratitude for my many successful years of practice. By serving as your State Representative, I can give back to the wonderful people whom I have been privileged to serve over the past 34 years."

Dr. Roebuck has been active in local, state and national dental organizations. He is Past- President of the Arkansas State Dental Association and , in 1997, was recipient of the ASDA Distinguished Service Award, the highest award presented to an Arkansas dentist.

On the national level, he served on the Council for Governmental Affairs and was chairman of the Federal Dental Services Subcommittee and vice chairman for the council which involved meetings with the Arkansas congressional delegation in Washington. He was an elected delegate to the American Dental Association for many years.

During a meeting in Washington in March 1999, Roebuck was presented an award for the best grassroots dental political organization in the U.S. This was the result of his leadership during the national congressional and state legislative sessions.

Dr. Roebuck retired from military service in 1997 as a Colonel, having served 29 years in both active and reserve status. He was Commander of the 4005th Dental Service Company in Houston, Texas, when he was mobilized during Desert Shield-Desert Storm. He served as the 807th Medical Brigade Dental Surgeon and commanded Army dental services for Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico for four years.

During his army career, Roebuck received the Army Legion of Merit, two Meritorious Services Awards, two Army Commendation medals, along with many other awards and medals.

In his announcement for House District 36, Roebuck identified the main issues.

"Our most important asset is our children," he said in a news release. "They are the future of our wonderful state. We need to ensure that the education they receive gives them the tools they need to become productive citizens. A solid educational foundation is critical to our continued economic growth and development."

A member and former deacon of First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Roebuck has also been an active member of the Kiwanis Club. He is married to Johnnie Jones Roebuck and they are the parents of five children and have five grandchildren.

Dr. Roebuck stresses that his announcement is being made as early as possible to allow all citizens in District 36 to be actively involved in his campaign. "I pledge my honest and hard work on your behalf as we continue the economic progress and quality of life that we have enjoyed. I will host a formal announcement event at a later date, but in the meantime, I invite all citizens of Clark and Nevada Counties to talk to me. I want to hear concerns and issues which are important to you and your family. Please call me at 246-6745 or write to me at 626 Caddo Street, Arkadelphia."