John Royer grew up in Newport, Arkansas, graduated high school in May of 1986 and immediately enlisted in the Army. He served in Germany as an ammunition specialist until April, 1990.
When he came from, he worked with is father in his music business, traveling with him and his band. “They played Gospel, rock, blues… all types of music. They didn’t have a name; everybody just knew them.”
He came to St. Francis House this past July after his wife moved out of state for a job and said he wasn’t welcome. “We had a place outside of Jacksonville where the only sounds at night were crickets, tree frogs and the occasional owl. Her daughter and daughter’s boyfriend lived there as well which was problem because they would smoke weed on the property even though I told them not to. I’m drug-free for twenty years and I don’t like being around that. My wife let them move with her to Oklahoma. With just my income, I couldn’t keep my home. But St. Francis House was there when I needed them.”
Currently Mr. Royer is looking for a job through AARP and other places. He’s gotten his paperwork for HUD/VASH done and will be moving into his own place once his finances are settled. “I see Veterans on the street or in other shelters and I tell every Vet that St. Francis House is a good place to go. It’s the best place for getting everyone the help they need if they’re willing to put in the work.”