Mirlon Doyce Tackington, 81, of Bryant, Arkansas passed away April 25, 2026.

Doyce was born on August 29, 1944, to the late Ray & Erma Green in Donaldson, Arkansas. Doyce graduated from Ouachita High School in 1964 and then was drafted into the United States Airforce.

After serving our country for four years he then went to UALR and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Doyce was a teacher at the Arkansas school for the deaf and he made a long-lasting impact on the deaf community who lived there. Doyce had a passion for flowers and tropical fish, for example, angel fish. He was always either taking care of his fish or his flower garden, which he loved. Doyce loved his family, God and his wife dearly which were the most important things to him in life. Doyce’s favorite saying was "special people do special things”. He would always ask his grandchildren what it meant to be special and that was his response every time. He taught several Bible classes over the years and was youth director in their early marriage. Doyce loved taking his wife on trips that they were awarded for from legal shield, which they worked for over twenty years.

July 23, 1971, Doyce married the love of his life, Lana Cruse. Doyce & Lana went on to have 3 children, Marcus, Gaylon & Scarlett, whom he loved dearly. He loved going to their baseball and softball games.

Doyce was preceded in death by his father Ray, his mother Erma & his sister Judy. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lana, his son Marcus (Dina), son Gaylon (Brandi) and daughter Scarlett (Sarge) and his brothers James Tarkington and Ken Green. Doyce & Lana have 8 grandchildren Andrew, Kobe, Hunter, Macy, Haley, Logan, Morgan & Max.

Services will be held at Mabelvale Church of Christ on Monday May 4, 2026, with visitation starting at 12:30 and celebration of his life at 1:30.Burial to follow at PineCrest Memorial Park.

Pallbearers:

Andrew Tarkington (grandson)

Kobe Tarkington (grandson)

Hunter Vasquez (grandson)

Logan Tarkington (grandson)

Max Tarkington (grandson)

Ken Green (brother)