Laura shared some memories of Roy.

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Everyone knows of the love I have for my beautiful Roy already and I feel as though I need to just write a little eulogy type-something expressing my sorrow of the billion ways how I desperately miss him. I don’t know when or if a service will be /But I’m going to do this a little different. Instead I am going to just share a sorta double story that shows his sweet kind gentle giving soul

Back many years ago at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane Washington. We lived where it was very lovely , very green and the sun shined bright. We had the most biggest gorgeous beautiful tree on all of base. Right in the middle of our front yard . It may have been an Oak tree but I’m not for sure. Which also meant. Work! And anyone who has ever lived on a military base knows. You CanNot have a yard that doesn’t meet the required base standards. At least all the bases we lived on. Roy Never once got written up. Roy always obeyed the rules. He took Pride in the Air Force and always/always spoke of Integrity!! and many times explained it to our children. Military base rules are also even higher than the HOA in Eagle River Alaska.

We were there a few years so you can imagine how many times a yard would need to be raked for just one Fall. The leaves pilled up extremely high fast and Very often . Our kids were very young so most of those times I had them inside while he would get to work.

I would watch him from the window and call my mom over for her to see this. As I smiled just watching him. On many occasions knowing exactly what was going to happen. This would take awhile and he worked a very long time and would get the leaves piled so high! So wide! It was enough to fill an entire roll-over truck full. It never failed as he got closer to having to start the bagging. The neighborhood elementary age boys would get closer and closer. Standing there waiting till the leaves were what seemed a mile high. Words were Never exchanged. Roy would stop and pause. Sometimes he even looked over at the window knowing I was watching and give me a smirk. Then turn to the boys and put his arm out and wave the boys in. Giving them the go ahead. As if to say, “ Have at it !!” He always knew it meant double the work but that is just how his kind heart was. He loved all children and seeing them going crazy diving into his leaves Theme Park made Him truly happy. I absolutely knew he was one in a million.

Skip ahead about 20 years later. I’m taking care of my dying mother that I adore and cherish. More than a daughter ever could. It was still backbreaking and also unbearable at times. With having all that entitles being a caregiver no matter how much love and devotion is in your heart. There were days I didn’t think I could go on or had the strength to make it . Roy came in the room one day when I was in the middle of my work as I was just crying my eyes out. He stopped me. Stood me up with his loving hands on my shoulders with his very calm compassionate voice. As he Always did. He said to me. “In everything you do, No matter what it is. Do it as though you are doing it for the Lord.” It changed everything and I understood. I got it! I have learned so much from him and this was just one time of many times he helped me. He was Very Wise and Humble. He taught me the right and Good way to be. Now he’s been taken from me. All I can think is that God must have had work for him in heaven. He had so many gifts. THE BEST MAN I HAD EVER KNOWN!! and I know without a doubt. Whatever it is he’s doing up there. He’s still playing the Drums while he’s working!