Captain Richard Carvell Jonesboro is a 1966 graduate of Arkansas State College and was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force in 1967. He served until 1971, including a deployment to Vietnam as part of the 12th Recon Intelligence Technical Squadron, where he earned a Bronze Star.

After his military service, he obtained a master's degree from the University of Illinois. Captain Carvell taught at Arkansas State University for 37 years, including 19 years as Chair of the Department of Radio Television, retiring in 2008.

He has been an active member of American Legion Pickett Post 21, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 26, and served on the Nettleton School Board from 1987 to 2010. Additionally, he has been involved with Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Jonesboro and the American Legion Boys State Commission.