How can this be? I just spoke with you on Fathers Day. I am at such a loss for words and my heart is broken. So many years of losing touch and finding each other again. You are such a lovely man with a good heart and you will be sorely missed. God speed sweet man.

If anyone could reach out to me I’d greatly appreciate it – Justin from Duke or any of his friends. Please.

RIP Roy! I really enjoyed working with you! You were always about taking care of The “Bubbas” Ride High and Fry my friend! You will be missed by many. Donna Kinkade💕🙏🏻🙏🏻

Thought of you often over the years and would reminisce about the years we spent as workout partners at old Gulf Coast gym. You were a great lifting partner & friend, I’m in complete shock that you are gone! Rest in peace my friend, until I see you again!

To Roy’s family,

I wanted to share a few memories of Roy and what he meant to our family.

My husband, Justin Shaw, had the privilege of working with Roy at Duke Energy and over the years came to consider him one of his best friends. Justin keeps a very small circle by choice, so the fact that he talked to Roy every single day tells you everything you need to know about how much he respected him and valued their friendship.

Some of my favorite memories involve Justin’s old truck. Whether that thing was running, broken down, or somewhere in between, Roy always seemed to end up in our garage. Half the time he was helping, half the time he was listening to Justin complain about the truck being a piece of crap, and the other half they were just talking smack and laughing. The math doesn’t add up, but somehow that’s exactly how it was.

Then there was the gym.

Roy finally convinced Justin to stop working out in our hot Florida garage and his gym. Heck I even joined. I used to laugh watching those two work out together. They’d keep stacking more and more plates on the bar, tighten up their lifting belts, and just go for it. They genuinely competed with each other every workout, and it was so much fun to watch.

Honestly, I think every guy in that gym wanted in on whatever those two had going on. Some even tried. But Roy and Justin were perfectly happy doing their own thing. What always cracked me up was that I can’t even work out with my own husband because we annoy each other, yet those two could spend hours together and never seem to get tired of it.

And if they weren’t together, they were on the phone. They lived less than a mile apart and would still spend hours talking. I’d hear Justin get off the phone and think, “You know his house is right there, right?” They were basically Frick and Frack.

The older I get, the more I realize friendships like that don’t come around very often.

What I’ll remember most about Roy wasn’t how strong he was, although he was strong as hell. It was how dependable he was. He showed up. He made time for people. He was the kind of friend everyone hopes to have and very few people are lucky enough to find.

I loved that Justin had a Roy.

Thank you for sharing him with all of us.

Thinking of all of you and sending our deepest condolences.

Tara Shaw

I feel so blessed to have been a friend of Roy’s. He was one of the sweetest men I’ve had the pleasure to ever know.
He will be sorely missed by many.. I hope one day too just meet up with him again! Rest in peace my friend! ❤️

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
Love leaves a memory no one can steal
Rest peacefully Roy

Roy was an amazing man with a heart of gold. He had a wonderful sense of humor that could make anyone smile, and he brought laughter wherever he went. His kindness, generosity, and caring nature touched the lives of so many people. He will always be remembered for his big heart, his warm spirit, and the love he shared with his family and friends. Though he is no longer with us, the memories of his laughter and the impact he made on those who knew him will live on forever. May he rest in peace.
Liliana Padilla

You will be missed. You were a great person, i side and out and enjoyed our talks.

I was at Roy’s funeral yesterday. It was quite a tribute to this wonderful man. So many people came – standing room only and so many stories about this sweet, kind man. He was taken too soon. I did want to share that Roy had many talents. He was quite an artist and used his talents to make our Seven Springs Ops Center a welcoming place for everyone. He loved Christmas and would come in on his own time on the weekend after Thanksgiving to decorate our Ops Center. When we came in on that Monday, it was truly a winter wonderland. He added more decorations each year and bought fresh poinensetta plants to liven up all the areas. He was truly a master and this is what I will miss the most. I love ❤️ you Roy for being such a loving man. May God receive you into Heaven with open arms. 🙏