Roy Allen Callender
Roy Allen Callender, 84, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019, surrounded by family, at his home in Bristol, Texas. He was born Nov. 28, 1935, to Virgil Alexander Callender and Vera Gardner Callender Hand, of Lawton, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of six children.
Roy served in the US Army stationed in Tokyo, Japan, where he met and married his first wife, Ayako Asami and they had three daughters. Later he re-married to Geraldine Mewborn and together they had two sons.
He was a successful business owner and supplied jobs for so many people most of his life.
He had a kind heart and reached out to help several people when they needed it the most. He loved to fish and smoke briskets and he knew without a doubt, his brisket was the best.
He loved his animals. He had several different types of animals as pets. He could play dominoes like none other, always laughing as he marked his score. Playing spades was always fun and with a little rum, he wasn’t sure if he or his partner, Jimmy Whatley, went nello.
Roy had a special place in his heart for his children, until we made him mad, then he had a voice that would scare you straight. He was the gentle giant.
One thing for sure, you never wanted to get on his bad side. Within a very short time, you would find out that it was Roy’s way or the wrong way.
Roy is survived by his wife, Geraldine; his sister, Minnie Ward, of Lawton, Oklahoma; daughters: Terry Jean Benson, of Waxahachie, Brenda Kay Setzer, husband Darrel, of Walters, Oklahoma, Ruth Aline Whatley, husband Jimmy, of Bristol, Texas; sons: Roy Allen Callender Jr., wife Elena, of Bristol, Texas, and Ronal Glen Callender, of Bristol, Texas; grandchildren: Christopher Wayt, Paul Benson, Jason Benson, Stephen Wiese, John Wiese, Brandon Setzer, Michelle Hinkle, Jennifer Adamson, Brandi Williams, Wendi Pontley, Harley Whatley, Samuel Melendez, Joel Melendez, Roy (Chip) Allen Callender III, Alexa Callender, Rachel Callender, and Morgan Callender. Roy had 26 great grandchildren.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Oliver and Clyde Callender, and sisters, Martha and Geneva (Jimmie) Callender.
Celebration of Life was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, at the Ennis VFW post 7106, 3100 North Hwy 45 Service Rd.
