Royce Eugene Wisenbaker Jr.

Royce passed away in Dallas on Monday, November 10, 2014.

Royce was preceded in death by both of his parents, Royce E. Wisenbaker, Sr. and Clorinda De Pietro Wisenbaker.

Royce was born in Tyler on August 29, 1957 and served as an altar boy at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. He attended Bishop TK Gorman and graduated Robert E. Lee High School. He went on to attend Texas A & M University, graduating in 1982. Royce was the president and co-owner of Southern Utilities Company in Tyler. Royce was a lover of his fellowman and was known for his generosity towards those in need. He helped many people anonymously who never knew the source of that generosity.

He supported so many beneficial endeavors, only a few of which are: Kent Schools, PATH, The Crisis Center, The Bright Futures Foundation, Trinity Mother Frances Hospital where he served as a board member, The Louis & Peaches Owens Heart Hospital, Texas A & M University where he was 12th Man Member and had in his name a President’s Endowed Scholarship, and also was a supporter of the College of Agriculture’s Development Council for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and the Smith County Sheriff’s Department.

Royce loved to travel and two of his most loved destinations were the islands of Hawaii and the mountains of Colorado. He loved A & M football games. He had a grand sense of humor and loved to laugh and make others laugh.

Royce loved Christmas time and for so many years his annual Tyler tradition of opening up the Dixon Farms Christmas Tree Lot and displaying his world famous Frosty the Snowman Balloon that so many of Tyler’s children looked forward to seeing every year, until Frosty’s sudden and mysterious retirement. Royce had a special appreciation for art and all manner of beautiful flowers. He had a love for all things Hawaiian and spent some of his best times in Hana, Maui.

But his Love of Family superseded all these things. Only days before his passing, Royce and Jana had just returned from traveling in Australia for the arrival of their first grandson, Kai Wilson, with whom Royce had already fallen in love.

Royce is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Jana Mari Wisenbaker, of Tyler, and four children, son Royce E. Wisenbaker, III., of Dallas, daughter Gena Wilson and husband Logan, of Boulder, Colorado, son Brian Wisenbaker, of Austin, and daughter Melissa Wisenbaker, of Aspen, Colorado. Royce also leaves behind three sisters, Susan Spies, Paula Whisenant and husband David, and Libby Wallace all of Dallas; one beautiful little brand spanking new grandson, Kai Wilson, of Boulder; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Glenn Miller, David Moore, Mike Ferrell, Mike Smith, Peter Witt, Dick Davis and Pat Temples. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Bellanfant and Ed Barry.

Visitation will be Sunday, November 16, 2014, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Lloyd James Funeral Home.