Roy Lynn Massey

Roy Lynn Massey was born in Magnolia, Arkansas. He attended, and soon dropped out of, Talco High School. He served in the US Navy from 1964-1968 as an Electrician's Mate, Third Class on the USS Vancouver, LPD-2 where he did four tours off and in the waters of Vietnam. He was honorably discharged with an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Roy worked as a Master Electrician for over 40 years. He worked in various factories throughout East Texas and Louisiana including Campbells Soup, Tyco, and North American Phillips.

Although a high school drop-out, he later attended East Texas State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Industry and Technology and became the first in his family with a college degree.  He became a patriarch of education, inspiring his family to earn many associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees as well as a masters and doctorate degree.  

After receiving his degree, he became a manager at North American Phillips where he and his team received a national award for lightbulb design and production improvement.

Roy was an avid reader, armchair historian and loved off-roading and camping.  From Baja Bugs to his favorite, Jeeps, over the years, he had owned close to a dozen 4-wheel drive and off-road vehicles.   

Other than the love of his life, Roxie Mathena Massey, to whom he was married for almost 50 years, and his family, his greatest love was motorcycles.  Roy served God by being a member of the Christian Motorcyclist Association, honored fellow veterans by serving with the Patriot Guard Riders, and went on adventures and tested his endurance by becoming a member of the Iron Butt Association (IBA), “The World's Toughest Riders”.  He earned several certificates from the IBA, his greatest achievement was being entered in the annals of the IBA by riding over 1,500 miles in less than 24 hours. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Roxie, and two sisters Betty and Alene. He is survived by his son, James and his wife Leigh, and his daughter, Monica, and her husband Brett. He leaves behind three grandchildren, Mallory, Kenneth, and Kaleb, three great grandchildren, Andrick, Brinton and Cavance, sisters-in-law, Evelyn and Sandra, a brother, Joe and his wife Marjorie, a sister, Annette, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many, many friends who all love him and are honored to be led and inspired by such a great man.  

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, May 19, 2023, at the Wood-Haggard Funeral Home Chapel at 414 N Main Street, Bogata, Texas. Inurnment will be at the Bogata Cemetery beside his beloved wife.

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