Thomas Warren Roy

On October 30, 2017 Thomas Warren Roy went home to his Lord and Savior. Tom was married to the love of his life Barbara J. (Yates) Roy for 55 years, with three children, Virginia (Ginny), Theresa (Terri), and Thomas (Tom).
Tom passed away at Delta County Memorial Hospital after having an accident at the family farm on October 23rd.
Tom was born on March 30, 1943 at home in Montrose on Franklin Mesa to William Minard Roy and Elsie Rahe (Inman) Roy. Tom was a 3rd generation native of Montrose and 4th generation Coloradan.
Tom attended Montrose schools including Maple Grove; Riverside, and graduating from Montrose High School in 1961.
Tom met Barbara on December 3, 1961 in Ouray where he worked at Mib’s Market and where Barbara was born, raised and attended school. They were married on April 15, 1962 at the Christian Church in Montrose. Tom joked that he got his first tax deduction that year. Their first home as a married couple was the Ouray Hotel. They would reside on the west slope of Colorado; Montrose – where they raised their children, Gunnison, Ridgway for 18 years and the last 10 years at the Inman family farm on Franklin Mesa.
Tom’s occupations included hard rock miner at Idarado and other local mines and farming at local farms. At times he worked nights at the mines and days ranching and farming. He also was a mechanic, welder and steel fabricator. When folks asked why he worked so many jobs, he said, “anything to make a living.” Tom also worked at Morrow Point Dam, Rainbow Garage and Rocky Mountain Steel to name a few.
Recently, retiring on the Inman family farm, passed on to Tom by his Uncle John (Skinny) Inman. Tom raised wonderful steers sold for beef to neighbors. Friends and family proclaim, “It’s the best beef around”. Tom kept the ‘antique’ equipment on the farm up and running. He irrigated and hayed, fed cattle and horses, and was followed around in the fields by his helper and dog Reba and the many kitties that found their way to the farm. Tom, his son also helped on the family farm.
His hobbies included welding horseshoe and twisted steel plant stands and decor. Tom loved hunting deer. He was fond of fast cars in his early years and especially loved his ’56 Desoto touring Barb around. Later taking scenic drives with Barbara, recently driving over Davewood Road. He often lamented the good old days before the area grew so much.
Tom is a member of the Colona Grange and truly enjoyed spending time with his graduating class of 1961 at coffees, gatherings and presenting scholarships to deserving students.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, father William (Bill) Minard Roy in 1971, Elsie, his mother in 2014 and brother, William (Billy) Henry Roy in 1992.
Tom is survived by his wife Barbara, daughters Ginny (Tom) Harrington of Carbondale and Terri (Todd) Dorpinghaus of Colorado Springs, and son Tom Roy of Lake City and Montrose. Sisters, Georgia McNeill of Montrose, and Alice Amato of Albuquerque, NM. Grandchildren include Crystal (Derek) Ferguson of Dallas, TX with great grandchildren Tegwyn and Riordan; Melissa (Steven) Miles of Watertown, NY and great grandchild Emma; and grandchildren Megan Dorpinghaus of Tampa, FL, and Jasper Roy, Lake City.
Tom loved his many sisters and brothers-in-law, some whom have passed. Remaining are Coral Jones of Montrose and Elsie Yates of Nucla. He is also survived by multiple nieces and nephews, and their families who he deeply loved. Tom never met a stranger.
The funeral service will be held at Crippin Funeral Home on Saturday, November 4th at 10:00, graveside services at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Ouray around 12:00 noon, and Celebration of Life and potluck luncheon at Colona Schoolhouse/Colona Grange around 1:00. Please feel free to attend one or all. If participating in the potluck luncheon, the family will be providing the main course, beverage and table settings, and invites folks to bring side dishes or desserts.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Colona Grange for the Colona School renovation, mail donations to Wanda Miller, 23 Whinnerah Ave, Montrose, CO 81403 or for the Class of 1961 Legacy Scholarships to Helen (Bellgardt) Broomfield at 2630 Irish Court, Montrose, CO 81401.
For more information, contact Crippin Funeral Home 970-249-2121.