Lester Roy

Lester W. Roy, 88 of Moxee, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family of Tues. July 12, 2016, after an extended illness/ dementia. He was born May 9, 1928 at home in Moxee to Adelard and Zelia (Marchand) Roy. He attended Holy Rosary Grade School and graduated from St. Martin's High School, Lacey, WA in 1948, where he lettered in football, baseball and boxing. The most memorable game was when St. Martin's played against local Marquette men's team, where he played against his younger brother Ted. (Marquette rallied for the win.)

He married his high school sweetheart Amelia (Emma) Mitzel on Jan. 18, 1950, the love of his life. They borrowed the money for the down payment to purchase the 30-acre Henry Fortier hop farm in Spring 1950. Together with their hard work, they were able to pay back the loan within two years and thus began his journey with farming in the Moxee Valley.

As the years passed, along with the expanding farm, they raised seven children and taught them the ethic of working hard, being honest and keeping your word. He and Emma created Roy Farms, Inc. in 1960 and were innovators in adapting new technologies in hop production. Lester enjoyed working with his beef cattle and many good memories were made with annual roundups and spring calving. He especially liked herding them with his pickups, thus the reason for his many dents. Lester was always up for a challenge and proved to excel in his many entrepreneurial businesses. Along with his sons, the farm expanded into tree fruits and warehousing in the early 1980's.

Lester served on many industry and community boards; Hop Growers of America, Washington Hop Commission and Hop Relations Board. A highlight was serving on the Hop Administrative Committee (Marketing Order), which allowed he and Emma to travel the world promoting the U.S. hop industry. He was honored by his worldwide peers in receiving the International Order of the Hop in 1994. He was a lifetime member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Throughout his life he greatly enjoyed spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren, sharing with them the pride of growing crops and raising livestock here in God's country of the Moxee Valley. Lester greatly appreciated the opportunity to work side by side with the best employees in the Valley that helped to make Roy Farms the success it is today.

He and Emma gave generously to those that their lives touched and to worthy organizations like LaSalle High School, Cottage in The Meadow, Holy Rosary Cemetery Foundation, East Valley Schools/ Scholarship, American Hop Museum and St. Elizabeth Providence Hospice Room.

Lester is survived by his loving wife Emma of 66 years and his seven children: Leslie (Betsy) Roy, Jerry (Toots) Roy, Janet (Dick) Knautz, Mark (Debbie) Roy, Jim (Ellen) Roy, Lori Roy, and Karen (Dan) Holzer; sister Dolores Morford and brother Ted (Patti) Roy. His legacy lives on in his 22 grandchildren: Michael (Sarah), Andy (Stacey), Elizabeth, Janay (David), David (Hilary), Shawna (Jean), Lisa (Chris), Tim (Anna), Danielle, Geoff (Amy), Brent (April), Eric, Katie (Jeff), Curtis (Lindsey), Jacob, Emma Jo, Drew, Dan, Jim, Janelle (Zadok), Kayla (Adam) and Danae. Another legacy generation of 18 grandchildren: Gabby, Noah, Camden, Lyla, Everly, Brittany, Jocelyn, Logan, Madelyn, Joshua, Jacob, Mia, Dominic, Benjamin, Riley, Maddy, Carson and Emily.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Edmond and William, sisters Cecilia Derr and Theresa Oldfield, and great granddaughter Emily Annaleese Roy.

Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Holy Rosary Cemetery Foundation and sent c/o Brookside Funeral Home, PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936.

A Vigil Service is scheduled for Sunday, July 17, 2016, at 4:00 pm at Holy Rosary Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, July 18, 2016, at 10:00 am at Holy Rosary Church with a reception/ luncheon following at the Hall. Interment at 2:30 p.m. at Holy Rosary Cemetery.

SERVICES

Funeral service
Monday, July 18, 2016
10:00 AM
Holy Rosary Catholic Church
201 N Iler St
Moxee, WA 98936