I first had the opportunity to meet Roy in Cedar Rapids, IA. I was recovering from surgery. We worked for the same company and I was asked by a mutual friend if Roy could stay in my room instead of the truck. We hit it off and became friends.. Neither of us knew it would be a lifetime friendship. We spent many hours on the phone as we criss-crossed the country. In my many years of knowing Roy, I never met Rory personally... Did on the phone though... The love Roy had for his bride (Rory) and his family... You cannot measure. And sooo sooo proud of Thom and his accomplishments. I can hear him now... HA! I COULD NEVER DO THAT! But Thom could and boy was he proud! We each had our ailments and would call each other to see how we were doing, any new ones ???.. etc.. We always called each other for our religious holidays... I will truly miss singing "I HAVE A LITTLE DREIDLE" with Roy! And there is one thing I will miss for sure about Roy is when we spoke... the first thing he said was 'HEY HARVO! Only one other person in my life EVER called me that .... My FATHER... We traveled many highways... Who knows how many times our paths may have crossed without knowing. We both had gone out separate ways with changing companies. The last time I saw Roy, was in Ehrenburg Az.. I was walking into the restroom and he was walking out.... What a place to have a reunion... We had lunch and called Rory! As I am sitting here, tears of sadness have appeared. I could ramble on... but I want to close with this thought.. 'IT IS NOT ONLY THE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT HELP YOU THROUGH THIS TIME IN YOUR LIFE..... BUT....... THE MEMORIES SHARED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT HELP ONE MAKE THROUGH THIS TIME... RORY:: MAY G-D BLESS YOU, THOM, AND THE FAMILY AND MAY ROY'S MEMORY BE A BLESSING. G-DSPEED... Harvey Yarmon
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Roy was such a kind individual and a terrific neighbor! Anytime that I would be in the yard and he would drive by he would always take a moment to stop, say hello and have a brief conversation….I enjoyed those conversations and getting to know Roy. He reminded me of a “gentle giant”! May GOD bless you my friend and as the angel in heaven that I know you are may you walk along side GOD and watch over Rory and your family!
My sincerest thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Tom and I knew Roy and Rory for only a few short years but, it seemed as though we had been friends forever. Our lives shared so many parallels-being high school sweethearts, nearly a half century of marriage and discovering we knew so many of the same people through Tom's and Rory's work over the years. Bizarrely, we learned this at a birthday party for one of their grandsons. Thom and Michelle had become our next door neighbors and invited us to that party. It was there that we first met Roy and Rory (who had flown from Denton to enjoy their grandson's birthday) and, in conversation, we discovered our mutual acquaintances. Missing the joy of being close to their family convinced them to leave Texas and make Georgia their home. We still call Roy and Rory our neighbors even though they no longer live next door as the did when they first came to GA. We became such close friends! We will miss our "neighbor" Rest in peace, Roy. 'Til we meet again.
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I met Roy & Tommy back in the early to mid 80’s when Rory & I worked in property mgmt. together.
Rory took me under her wings like a big sister to mentor & encourage me which of course included me in fun family Bell Ave. house parties , gatherings & belly dancing affairs. Roy was always there supporting his bride & family. He would always make a point to talk to me, see what I was “up to” & give me hard time about being 1/2 Pollock😂…. and then I married a guy with a Polish last name…that gave him way too much material for joking!😂Then came the “Kidlowski’s”… I think the last time I got to see Roy was at Roy & Rory’s renewal of their wedding vows in Denton at TWU campus. 💜
What a beautiful love story & legacy you two share 🤗💗 God is good!
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My nickname, Puppet is because of Roy. We were all gathered together taking time out from a belly dance workshop when suddenly, Roy grabs the back of my neck and bounces me up & down. As soon as he grabbed my neck,I relaxed and it looked as though there were strings on my feet and the back of my hands so I flopped around, hence the name , Puppet. I am blessed to know this weird, wacky, and zany family and Roy sense of humor & gentle heart will be greatly missed.
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I'll always remember Roy as the trucker with the heart of gold who rescued kittens from truck stops and relentlessly cute-bombed us all with kitten cuddles until someone would eventually give in and adopt them. One particular kitten stands out in my mind. It was a little black one that Roy brought into dance class. Needless to say, dance class came to a complete stop and as we all dissolved into ooohs and awwwws. What a kind man he was to save those little lives and spread such joy.
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I believe the spirit stays after the body leaves us.
I believe Roy's spirit watches over Rory, Thom, Michelle, Caleb, Alton and Thomas.
I believe knowing Roy and his bigger than life spirit blessed us.
We are better for having known him.
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Rory and I have been friends since freshman year. I remember when Rory met Roy sophmore year and I knew it was a perfect match. We all had so much fun together at dances football games and innocent mischief. Their love and marriage was one to be envied. Then Tommy was born to complete their perfect family. Roy was a wonderful, caring, funny, strong friend, husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have known him. Rest in Peace Roy. Until we meet again.
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Alberto Garcia
1992, DFW International Airport (DFW), Aviation Drive, DFW Airport, TX, USA
I can remember when we were flying back from an awards trip with Rory
Roy got mad at Denise Finley for being annoying and never shut up and refused
To get in the limousine with Denise coming back home I really got a kick out of that lol
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1990, Pine Bluff, AR, USA
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2017, South Beloit, IL, USA
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Roy, my C/B friend and all night trucking buddy. I know you and the “The Bozo” are sharing stories together. He was my favorite all night trucker DJ. I will always remember how we could be support for each other while trucking all through the night hours.
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I’ll never forget the time Roy and Rory sang happy birthday to me on the phone, he seemed to always be up for a good laugh. I’m guessing he’s done that with a lot of their friends. RIP my friend.
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I first met Roy in 1972 when I was working with Bob Kidd in the Coast Guard recruiting office in Orlando.
We spent many nights at parties held at Bob’s place.
We became great friends and eventually Reine and I became God parents to his son Thom.
We will miss Roy greatly and always remember Roy telling the dog to “get the kitty”.
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Roy was a great man. Roy and Rory’s love for each other was easily seen. I was blessed to cal them both friends. RIP friend.
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I called him brother… he called me lil brat 😊. He told me every time we talked how proud he was of me. He always wanted to make sure I was safe, happy and healthy. I miss you lots!!
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