Straddling the Texas–Arkansas border, Texarkana is technically two cities in two states. This list includes people born on either side—Texarkana, Texas, and Texarkana, Arkansas—ranked by impact on society and overall fame, with local influence as a tie-breaker. From music legends to political leaders, these 15 individuals left marks far beyond downtown State Line Avenue.
15. Dustin Moseley (b. 1981)
Texarkana, Arkansas, produced this right-handed pitcher who reached the majors with the Angels, Yankees, and Padres. A steady contributor when healthy, his career was limited by shoulder issues and never reached long-term stardom. Even so, local fans remember the climb from high school prospect to big-league starter, a path that showcased discipline and resilience more than headline fame.
14. Craig Monroe (b. 1977)
Hailing from Texarkana, Texas, Monroe carved out nine MLB seasons, peaking with Detroit’s 2006 pennant run. He delivered timely power in October and became a clubhouse steady hand. His name resonates with baseball fans more than the general public, yet his postseason moments and national broadcasts kept Texarkana in the conversation.
13. Conlon Nancarrow (1912–1997)
Texarkana, Arkansas, gave experimental music an iconoclast in Nancarrow, famed for stunningly complex player-piano studies. His rhythms anticipated ideas later explored in jazz, minimalism, and new music. Though little known to mainstream audiences, his technical daring influenced composers worldwide and reframed what composition could be in the machine age.
12. Molly C. Quinn (b. 1993)
A native of Texarkana, Texas, Quinn became a familiar face as Alexis on Castle and continued with film and voice roles. Her career reflects steady range rather than celebrity flash. She brought small-town credibility to national screens and remains one of the city’s most recognizable contemporary entertainers.
11. Taylor Wilson (b. 1994)
Born in Texarkana, Arkansas, Wilson built a working fusion device at the age of fourteen and later focused on nuclear security, medical isotopes, and energy innovation. His profile is bigger in science and policy than popular culture. The arc suggests durable societal impact ahead, with early achievements already influencing education and tech outreach.
10. Crowder (David Crowder) (b. 1971)
From Texarkana, Texas, Crowder became a leading voice in contemporary Christian music. Albums, national tours, and award-winning songwriting shaped modern worship’s sound across denominations. His cultural footprint is strongest inside the genre, but his melodies and production choices ripple through churches and faith-based playlists nationwide.
9. Lois Towles (1912–1983)
Texarkana, Arkansas, is the birthplace of pianist and educator Lois Towles, who performed internationally and championed arts access for youth. Working through institutions and community programs, she expanded opportunities during segregated decades. Her influence bridged performance, teaching, and civic leadership, leaving a cultural legacy larger than any single stage.
8. Rod Smith (b. 1970)
A Texarkana, Arkansas, native, Smith rose from undrafted free agent to Denver Broncos legend. Two Super Bowls, franchise receiving records, and relentless consistency defined his career. He is widely respected among NFL fans and symbolizes the work ethic many associate with Texarkana’s sports culture.
7. Parnelli Jones (b. 1933)
Texarkana, Arkansas, can claim 1963 Indianapolis 500 champion Parnelli Jones. He dominated multiple disciplines and later succeeded as an owner, shaping American motorsport on and off the track. While racing fame skews niche, his name endures wherever U.S. auto-racing history is told.
6. Frank D. White (1933–2003)
Born in Texarkana, Texas, White shocked Arkansas politics by defeating Bill Clinton in 1980 and serving as governor from 1981 to 1983. His brief tenure altered the state’s trajectory and reshaped Clinton’s comeback strategy. Regionally, his victory remains one of the state’s most studied political upsets.
5. Eddie Mathews (1931–2001)
From Texarkana, Texas, Mathews became one of baseball’s greatest third basemen. A prolific power hitter and two-time World Series champion, he’s the only player to represent the Braves in Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta. Inducted into Cooperstown in 1978, he remains a benchmark at the hot corner.
4. Joshua Logan (1908–1988)
A Texarkana, Texas, native, Logan helped define mid-century American theater and film. He directed South Pacific on Broadway, guided stars on screen in Bus Stop, and won a Pulitzer and a Tony. His work fused commercial success with craft, influencing directors who followed on both stage and set.
3. Otis Williams (b. 1941)
Texarkana, Texas, is the birthplace of Otis Williams, founding member of The Temptations. The group’s choreography, harmonies, and chart runs set Motown’s gold standard and inspired global soul and R&B. Williams’ stewardship helped the act evolve through eras while keeping its signature sound intact.
2. Scott Joplin (1868–1917)
Hailing from Texarkana, Texas, Joplin became the “King of Ragtime,” writing “Maple Leaf Rag” and “The Entertainer.” His syncopation seeded jazz and reoriented American popular music. Rediscovery in the late twentieth century cemented his canon status and introduced new generations to ragtime’s enduring pulse.
1. Ross Perot (1930–2019)
Born in Texarkana, Texas, Perot built Electronic Data Systems into a tech powerhouse, then reshaped U.S. politics with two independent presidential runs. He mainstreamed deficit talk, leveraged television like few candidates had before him, and funded civic projects in his hometown, including the restoration of the Perot Theatre. Business scale, political disruption, and local philanthropy make him Texarkana’s most influential native.
Last Updated on August 23, 2026 by F.E.M