Royce Franklin Faucett Sr.

Royce Franklin Faucett, Sr., proud member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 1948 and affectionately known by his family and friends as “Old Army”, died Tuesday, October 25, 2011 in Houston, Texas, at the age of 84.

Royce, a long time resident of Houston, was born to Irvin and Bessie Faucett in Detroit, Texas, on December 4, 1926, and has two wonderful and loving younger brothers, Leroy and Doug. He entered the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now, Texas A&M University) in June 1944. As many other young Texas A&M men of that generation did, he suspended his education and joined the U.S. military in 1945. He served in the U.S. Naval Air Transport Service through July 1946, at which time he was honorably discharged from service. He returned to Texas A&M where he received a Bachelor of Science in Math.

In July 1950, Royce began a 35-year career with Texaco (then known as “The Texas Company”), retiring on December 31, 1985. In early 1957, he met a beautiful southern belle, Barbara Stietenroth, in Natchez, Mississippi. He courted Barbara for several months, and then the two were married May 4, 1957. Royce and Barbara had five children, Leta, Royce, Jr., Fred, Chris and James. Royce and Barbara joined St. Thomas Episcopal Church and School in Houston in 1967, where they remained members until each of their passings. Each of their children was confirmed in the Church, and each child graduated from the Church’s school.

Royce was a member of the Texas A&M Association of Former Students and the Houston A&M Club, and enjoyed spending time with his Texas A&M schoolmates. Royce was also an avid bridge player, and in his later years after Barbara’s passing enjoyed socializing in various bridge clubs. In 2008, while playing bridge he met Kathryn Marmion. The two became inseparable, and Kathryn was warmly welcomed into the Faucett family. Kathryn was by Royce’s side daily before his passing.

Royce was preceded in death by his wife Barbara on September 19, 1999, and is survived by his brothers Leroy and Doug and their beautiful families, his daughter Leta and her husband Dr. Richard Smith of College Station, Texas, and their children Erin, Meredith, Kevin and Emily, his son Royce, Jr. of Houston, his son Fred of Houston, his son Chris and his wife Leah and their children Hayden and Blake, and his son James and his wife Amanda and their children Jacob and Julianne, and his dear companion Kathryn.

A burial service will be held in College Station, Texas on Thursday, October 27, 2011, at the College Station City Cemetery, where Royce will be laid to rest with his wife Barbara. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 on Friday, October 28, 2011, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 4900 Jackwood, Houston, TX 77096.

The Faucett family requests that any memorial gifts be given to St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church.