Roy Spurgeon Baxley

Roy Spurgeon Baxley was born in San Antonio, Texas, on November 7, 1921, to Clarence and Annabelle Baxley. His parents moved him to Dallas when he was still a toddler, and he grew up in the East Dallas area then known as Pleasant Grove. He graduated from Pleasant Grove High School, later known as W.W. Samuel High School. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Force as an aerial photographer. On June 16, 1944, he married his beloved wife, Leona “Lynn” Bradshaw. Following World War II, he attended Southern Methodist University, majoring in Public Accounting, and upon completion of his degree, he opened a public practice. In 1950, John Lamb came from Cincinnati, Ohio, to open a new company, Texas Sign Supply. He asked Roy to take the company as a client, and also to serve as Treasurer. Roy accepted, and in 1954 sold his accounting practice to become the full-time President of Texas Sign Supply Co. He held this position throughout his career with the company, also serving as President of Neo Sign Supply and Vice-President of Texas Screen Processing Supply, and Chairman of the Board for all three sister-companies. Upon the merger of the three in 2001, he continued as Chairman of the Board, until 2006 when he sold his holdings in the company. In his business life he was actively involved the Texas Electric Sign Association, which later became the Texas Sign Association, and with sign company customers all over the southwest region.

Throughout his life, Roy was actively involved in his church, first at Gaston Avenue Baptist, and from 1971 forward with First Baptist, Dallas. He felt strongly that young men and women who wished to serve the Lord in full-time Christian work should be well educated. As a result he became active with Criswell College from its infancy as Criswell Bible Institute, first attending classes himself, and later encouraging and assisting young students. He worked with Dr. Paige and Dorothy Patterson during their tenure at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, serving on the Board of Visitors, as well as helping with work at Magnolia Hill. When the Patterson’s moved to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he became involved with similar activities.

On September 21, 2010, Lynn went to be with the Lord. Now Roy has followed his beloved wife of 66 years. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his children, Barbara Baxley-Adkins and her husband, Brown Adkins III, and Jim Baxley and his wife, Debbie; seven grandchildren, David Baxley and his wife, Amy, Matthew Baxley, Elizabeth Baxley, Joel Baxley and his wife, Amy, Stephen Baxley and his fiancé, Jennie, Hannah Baxley and Brown Adkins IV, as well as two great-grandchildren, Briana Oliver and Desmond Baxley (daughter and son of David and Amy), and one great-great-granddaughter, Charlotte (aka, Charlee, daughter of Brianna); in addition, his three “adopted daughters”, Rita Mayamu, and her daughter Emi, Adrine Njuki, and her daughter Priscilla, and Grace Shayo, and her daughter, Jessica. We will miss his stories, generosity and love.

Arrangements under the direction of Sparkman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Richardson, TX.