While he successfully and energetically for over forty years led his team at Terra Firma Tile of Houston, Casa Linda, and HR Enterprises — companies he founded — he always made time for his friends and family.
He is survived by: his wife, Rosemary Saenz Soraiz; daughters Linda "Kathryn" Soraiz (Cameron Laird) and Reneé Soraiz (Stephen Hinze); grandchildren Ali 'AR' Ongun, Iliana Ongun Chatani, Caitlin Laird, Nadjezhda Laird, and Bryce Hinze; great grandchildren Ali Riza "Reese" Ongun Jr., Rowen Antonio Ongun, Leila Ongun Chatani, and Sofia Ongun Chatani. Roy frequently spoke of his pride in each one of them.
He was also survived by his sister Ruby Holm, her children Debra "Debbie", Cheryl, Michael "Mike", Karl, and Sarah. He was also a loving uncle to Joaquin "Poppy" Jerry Soraiz, Jr., Linda Naomi "Lonnie" Ammon, and Martin Soraiz who are surviving children of his oldest brother Joaquin Soraiz.
Throughout his life, Roy loved his role as a salesman and his motto: “We don’t sell good; we sell perfection”.
It was that commitment to high standards that gave him the opportunity to work on the homes of former President Bush Sr., Michael Dell, various senators, mayors, and prominent Houstonians. Terra Firma of Houston also served many notable businesses in Texas such as the Galleria, both airports, numerous restaurants, country clubs, and the like.
Roy was a fierce and loyal friend. “When does a friend need a friend? When he’s down on his luck.” Roy never turned his back on people and his loyalty was returned in the many decades-long friendships that grew. From his early years working at Houston Chronicle and Original James Coney Island-Downtown Houston, to the many business owners who grew to call him ‘friend’, Roy could always be counted on to walk arm-in-arm alongside them.
Life was not always easy, and Roy faced challenges with the same perseverance and commitment he applied to train as an amateur boxer. In the late 1990s, a slow growing non-cancerous brain tumor was discovered. His doctors determined it was less risky to live with than to remove.
In 2008, a brain bleed surrounding the tumor required a craniotomy. Roy was Life Flighted to Memorial Hermann for surgery. Multiple post-op seizures and life threatening complications landed Roy in Memorial Hermann’s NeuroICU for four weeks. After an additional two weeks at Kindred ICU, Roy’s doctors had little hope and said, “Hope for the best, prepare yourselves for the worst.”
God had other plans.
His family prayed outside his room, "God help us through his recovery or through the grieving process." Once taken off the ventilator, Roy began to breathe room air on his own.
He was bedbound for months and worked hard for two years with therapists and encouragement from his family to become a "walking miracle." Roy was blessed to enjoy twelve memorable years of travel, family, and gatherings with friends following his recovery.
Roy and his laugh will be deeply missed here on Earth but his family rejoices in knowing they will join him one day in Heaven.
Preceding him to Heaven are: parents Peter "Pedro" and Sarah "Sara" Soraiz; brothers Joaquin "Jerry" and Peter "Pete" Soraiz; extended family, business colleagues, many former card buddies, and friends.
A memorial of Roy’s life will be celebrated around his birthday. In lieu of flowers, please consider a blood donation to non-profit Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center or, a tax-deductible gift to LifeInSight.com or Dementia Society of America www.DementiaSociety.org/donate
Thank you all for keeping Roy and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Feel free to share any pictures or memories on this website.
