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Royce Thompson
Mar 30, 1939 - Dec 7, 2016
Posted by: Martha Reddout

 

Royce Thompson was born March 30, 1939 in McAlester, Oklahoma to B.W. Bunk Thompson, and Flora Breeze Thompson. As a small child he moved with his family to a farm in the Carter community. He started to school at Carter, but soon moved into the Doxey community where he attended all of his elementary years. The family moved back to the Carter community during his Junior High years and he graduated from Carter High School in 1958. He attended Sayre Junior College and graduated with an Associate Degree in 1960. He then attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1962, then later a Master’s Degree and an Administrator’s Certificate. Royce worked for the C.R. Anthony Co. all four years of college.

Royce began teaching in the Merritt Public School System in the Fall of 1962 as a classroom teacher. In 1966 he accepted the position of High school Principal which he held for the next 24 years retiring in 1990 with 28 years completed with the Merritt School System.

After his retirement from the Merritt Schools, Royce worked part-time for the Adult Education Learning Center, and part-time for the Elk City United Methodist Church as Christian Education Director. He later gave up the Adult Ed. Job and worked full time for the Methodist Church, completing 10 years as Education Director in 2001.

Royce remained active in the United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Chancel Choir and taught the Friendship Sunday School class, which he had done for 15 plus years. He was a member of the Administrative Council, the Worship Committee, the JOY visitation Committee, the Nursing Home Ministries, and the United Methodist Thrift Shop Committee and volunteered one day a week at the Thrift Shop. Royce was also a member of the Executive Board of the United Methodist Retirement and Health Care Center in Clinton, Royce was also a member of the Elk City Kiwanis Club having served on the Board, and completed three consecutive years as Secretary. He was a member of the Elk City Area United Fund Board, and served as the head of the Clubs Division.

A long time member of the Western Oklahoma Historical Society Royce had served as President, 1st Vice –President, and 2nd Vice President, Chairperson of the Hall of Fame Committee, a member of the Farm and Ranch Museum Committee, and served as secretary of the WOHS.

In 1962, Royce married Barbara Holsted and to this union two children were born, Tim and Lori.

Royce is survived by his wife and children, Tim Thompson and Juan Rivas, Oklahoma City, OK, Lori Dixon, Cordell, Oklahoma, two granddaughters, Carlee Ann Dixon and Allie Grace Dixon, a brother, Gary Lynn Thompson and wife, Sharon. Oklahoma City, OK, a niece, Stephanie Thompson-Lovett, a nephew, Blake Thompson, a great niece, Madalynn Lovett and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family suggests memorials be made to the United Methodist Church Circle of Care, the Merritt High School Scholarship Fund, the Elk City United Methodist Church OCU Scholarship Fund, or the Regional Foodbank-Food For Kids.