Royce F. Stoops

Royce F. "Roy" Stoops, 82, of Owensboro, passed away on Thursday June 24, 2010 at the Hermitage Care and Rehabilitation Center. He was born on January 1, 1928 in Newport News, VA to the late Robert and Ruth Fentress Stoops. He was a member of Woodlawn United Methodist Church and was retired from the United States Coast Guard after 24 years of service. He was Captain of the Coast Guard Cutter "Lantana" before being promoted to Group Commander of the Ohio River District in Louisville. Before entering the Coast Guard, Roy served in the Navy for 18 months during World War II, and through the Korean War and Viet Nam War eras during his career. He lived in a number of places while serving including Wilmington, N.C., Charleston, S.C., Pt. Pleasant, W. Va., St. Clair Shores, Mi., Guam, Saipan, and the Phillipines. After retiring from the Coast Guard, Roy worked as a foreman for National Southwire-Aluminum in reduction services. While with NSA, he traveled to New Orleans and oversaw the launching of NSA's tugboat which he brought back to the plant in Hawesville. Roy also served as a Daviess Co. Commissioner of the Central District for 2 terms. He was a member of the Retired Officers Assoc., the V.F.W. Post 696, the Moonlite Coffee Table, was a Ky Colonel and a Ky. Admiral, and a past member of the Breakfast Civitan Club. Roy was a private pilot and had owned three airplanes over the years. He chaired the Owensboro Regatta one year in 1977 and served on the committee for it each year.

He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Pam Nolan on February 14, 2010, a grandson, Lee Olds on March 28, 2007, two brothers, William Stoops and Robert Stoops, and a sister, Ethel Stoops.

Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Barbara H. Stoops, two sons, Chris Stoops and wife Pam of Springfield, VA and Mark Stoops and partner Avrea of St. Petersburg, FL, two daughters, Cindy Olds and husband Grant of Newburgh, IN and Beth McNulty and husband Brian of St. Petersburg, FL, eight grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and a brother Alexander Stoops of Hampton, VA.

Services will be 12 Noon Tuesday, June 29, at the Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory with Rev. Jim Savage officiating. Burial will follow in Owensboro Memorial Gardens with military honors. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 P.M. Monday and after 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 1120 Woodlawn Ave., Owensboro, Ky. 42301.