Robert C. “Bobby” Compton, Jr. of El Dorado, Arkansas, died April 26, 2025.
Bobby was born on Valentine’s Day, 1953 to Margaret and Bob Compton in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where Bob Sr. was posted with the FBI. Margaret, a spirited Mississippi native and steel magnolia drew a line in the sand when her husband was transferred to Newark, New Jersey. Instead, they moved to El Dorado to raise their family.
Bobby spent his junior year of high school in Washington as a page for U.S. Senator Bill Fulbright before returning to graduate from EHS with the class of 1971. He earned his degree from Hendrix College. After undergrad, Bobby dabbled in law and politics, but his calling was his art.
He was working as a criminal defense investigator when he discovered that he was a gifted photographer. At age 43, he jettisoned everything else in his life and moved to New Orleans, where he spent his days and nights roaming the streets with his camera, teaching himself how to use available light. Bobby’s art encompassed varied subjects around the world, but the subject he loved most was the city of New Orleans. He photographed the city’s people, its places, and mostly, its music. His work is included in the Jazz Archives at Tulane University, has been shown from coast-to-coast, and adorns homes around the country.
Bobby embraced life on his own terms. He loved beautiful women, fast cars, live music, and good dogs. He was brilliant, fun, and loved by many.
Survivors include his sister, Cathi Compton (Bill Wilson); his brother, Walter Compton (Beth); his nephew, Jackson Compton; his nieces, Maggie Benson (Matthew), Whitley Hobbs (Sean), Tyler Compton (Taylor), and Jade Hack; and two grandnieces and a great-nephew.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the New Orleans Photo Alliance, the Union County Animal Protection Society, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Cremation services are entrusted to Young's Funeral Directors.
