Roy Arthur English

Roy Arthur English of Columbia, MO., quietly passed away at his home on Thursday, November 28, 2024. He was born in Thermopolis, WY., on April 7, 1947. He was the adopted son of Dr. James E. English, Jr., and Gena English. Roy was united in marriage to Marckeen English (Schroeder) in Hillsboro, OR., on February 28, 1970.

Roy graduated from University High School, Columbia, in 1965 followed by four years of service in the Navy serving in Spain and Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1970. Roy continued his education receiving a Bachelor of Science with honors from the University of Missouri in 1975. That same year, he started his federal career as an Occupational Therapist at the Veterans Hospital in Knoxville, Iowa. In 1976, he moved his family back to Columbia, working at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, finishing his career as the Supervisor of the Occupational Therapy Department. He retired in 2004 with 30 plus years of service.

Roy loved teaching and working with students. He supervised OT students from the University of Missouri as well as other University students doing clinical rotations at the HST Veterans Hospital. He was an active participant in the VA's summer work program for Douglass High School students. He often spent his lunch time tutoring these high school students and encouraging them to work hard and graduate. He was recognized by Texas Woman's University School of Occupational Therapy for the valuable service provided to their students on their clinical rotations and received a Missouri Occupational Therapy Association Award of Excellence for Outstanding Performance in Service to the Profession. He received numerous awards for outstanding service from the VA as well as the prestigious Secretary's Hands and Heart Award. In addition, he was recognized by the Missouri House of Representatives in a Resolution for his "many years of unparalleled service and dedication to the Harry S. Truman Veterans Memorial Hospital and to the men and women who fully gave themselves for the good of this country".

He was a member of Calvary Episcopal Church, a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 280, where he volunteered and was All State Commander in 1995, a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, and Missouri Alumni Association. He enjoyed attending auctions and scouring flea markets for hidden treasures. He loved music and singing karaoke. He was an avid collector of music CDs and records for his jukebox. In the summertime, you could always find him working in the yard or spending time lounging around his pool.

Roy cherished his family and friends and was known for his sense of humor, kindness, compassion and love for all types of music. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marckeen English, his wonderful daughter, Sara Heath, husband John Heath, grandsons Tripp Heath, Tannen Heath, Columbia, Carroll and Karen Schroeder, McMinnville, OR, Norman and Janis Schroeder, Newburg, OR, Lynn and Linda Schroeder, Beaverton OR., a nephew and eight nieces.

A memorial gathering will be held from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Memorial Funeral Home/ Columbia. A private burial will be at the Liberty Cemetery in Martinsburg, MO.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or St. Jude's Children's Hospital or organization of choice.