Donald Philip Roy

Obituary Donald Philip Roy passed away after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma cancer on June 1, 2020, at the age of 86. Don was predeceased by his parents, Olive and Joseph Roy; his brother Joseph Roy, and his sister Dottie Bender. He is survived by his wife Pat Roy; two daughters: Judy O'Callaghan and her husband Mickey, and Janet McKinley; three grandchildren: Rachael Fordinal and her husband Justin, Cassie Gay and her husband Wes, and Ryan O'Callaghan and his wife Amanda; and four great-grandsons: Ryland Gay, Keller Fordinal, Maclane Gay, and Reid Fordinal. Don was born in Worchester, Massachusetts on July 24, 1933 to Olive and Joseph Roy. After high school, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Wichita Falls, Texas. While in Texas, Don met and married Pat Reed and 65 years later, he still felt like he was the luckiest man alive to have found her. In their later years, he would say that he liked the days that were just "you and me together." Following his discharge from the Air Force, Don and Pat moved to Connecticut where Don had grown up and developed a love for golf from a very early age. He would spend time at the local golf club and eventually became a caddie, scratch golfer, and was able to compete at a very high level. In Connecticut, Don also learned the skills of a machinist. After two years, Don felt the need to get Pat closer to her family in Texas and moved to Dallas to find work. While considering the possibility of a career as a professional golfer, their first daughter, Judy, was born in 1958. Don chose to opt for a job as a machinist so he could assure that his wife and growing family would be provided for with a steady income. At the age of 25, Don made the decision to join Otis Engineering as a machinist. At Otis, Don excelled at running state of the art numerical control tape machines at what was one of the largest collections of numerical control machines in North America. He was one of the first machinists ever to lap metals balls and seats for downhole safety valves in what became a standard in downhole completion equipment for oil and gas wells for decades to come. Don leveraged his expertise in running high tech machines to later become shop foreman and then a buyer in the supply chain organization. Along the journey, their second daughter, Janet, was born in 1961. Don loved being a Daddy to his two girls, and always delighted in the times he spent with them. As grown women, he connected with both of them in meaningful and personal ways at every opportunity. After 28 years with Otis Engineering, Don retired. Never one to sit still, his hobby of trading cars soon became a second career. Don was a man of integrity, and all his friends and relatives looked to him for guidance in purchasing their automobiles through the years. He developed a loyal client base that followed him from dealership to dealership and through multiple generations. Don loved to hunt, although everyone knew his favorite part was watching the wildlife! He hunted in North Texas near Nocona and later in life delighted in going to West Texas with his son-in-law to hunt white tail and hang out with the guys. Don was a generous man. He loved finding special gifts for Pat to surprise her, and we always laughed because even if it was for a holiday, he could never wait to give it to her. Her gifts were always early gifts! Don was a loving grandfather to Rachael, Cassie and Ryan. He was such a fun and wonderful Popie to them, and he was so proud of the adults they all are today. As time went on, those three grandchildren grew up, married and blessed Don with four great-grandsons. He delighted in playing with all his boys, and they were all drawn to him at the loud, crazy family gatherings. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved him so. We will miss our husband, Daddy and Popie forever, but know he is at peace with his Lord and Savior, which brings us all great comfort. We are so thankful that we will see him again. In compliance with current social distancing restrictions, there will be a private graveside service at the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. In lieu of flowers, Pat requests that memorials be sent to Caminar Juntos, the Honduran ministry of Don and Pat's grandson, Ryan and his wife Amanda. Their video on YouTube gives more information about their work, and how to make a donation. http://www.bit.ly/CJHonduras Service Information