Raymond Robert Royal Sr.

Raymond Robert Royal, Sr., 87, passed away October 14, 2017 in Bedford, Texas. Visitation is October 17 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. on October 18 at Bluebonnet Hills in Colleyville, Texas, with a reception immediately following the graveside service. Pallbearers are his FWFO Crew: Benny Askins, Joel Fief, Mal Hasty, Gary Knox, Pat McBee, and Ulis Whitecotton.

Raymond was born July 24, 1930 in Navasoto, Texas to Lupe Rodriguez and Josephine Hyman. Ray grew up in Fort Worth attending Laneri High School where he was a star athlete excelling in football, basketball and baseball. He also attended TCU.

On weekends, you would find Ray playing golf at Glen Garden Golf & Country Club where he was one of the original “Dirty Dozen”. Ray was a member of the Fort Worth Football Officials (FWFO) for 60 years, officiating high school football until he was 82 years old. In addition to officiating football, he was a baseball umpire and also a basketball referee for many years. In later years, he also enjoyed working at TCU basketball games running the game time clock.

Raymond worked in the Tax Department at The Southland Corporation in Dallas. He was the Eastern Region Tax Manager when he retired from the company with more than 25 years. After retirement, he continued to work independently for many years with property taxes throughout the Gulf states.

Ray married Christine Widacki in 1952 in Fort Worth, Texas. They recently celebrated their 65th anniversary. For the past 5 years, Christine has been in a nursing home under care for Alzheimer’s. He was dedicated to visiting his bride daily to care for her until July 2017 when his health prevented him to continue. They are charter members of St. Michael Catholic Church in Bedford, where they were both active as Eucharistic ministers.

Ray is survived by his wife Christine, children; Cindy Caloss and husband, Ron; Kit Bolte, and Ray Royal Jr. and wife, Kathleen. Grandchildren: Jeff Rutledge, Ashley Snider and husband, Drew; Matthew Royal, Zachary Royal, Jessica Bolte, Jennifer Bolte, great-grandson Bradley Eden, great-granddaughter Kennedy Snider, with another granddaughter due in 2018. He is also survived by his siblings Jerry Royal, Berry Royal, Shirley Daniel and husband, Ed, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made by making donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society https://donate.lls.org/lls/donate or to support youth sports at The Heads Up! Foundation https://www.theheadsupfoundation.org/donate.

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Raymond Robert Royal, Sr., 87, passed away Saturday, October 14, 2017, in Bedford. Visitation is 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 17, and the funeral will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 18 at Bluebonnet Hills in Colleyville, with reception immediately following the graveside service. Pallbearers are his FWFO Crew: Benny Askins, Joel Fief, Mal Hasty, Gary Knox, Pat McBee, and Ulis Whitecotton.

Raymond was born July 24, 1930 in Navasoto, Texas to Lupe Rodriguez and Josephine Hyman. Ray grew up in Fort Worth attending Laneri High School where he was a star athlete excelling in football, basketball and baseball. He also attended TCU. On weekends, you would find Ray playing golf at Glen Garden Golf & Country Club where he was one of the original “Dirty Dozen”. Ray was a member of the Fort Worth Football Officials (FWFO) for 60 years, officiating high school football until he was 82 years old. He retired from Southland Corporation with more than 25 years with the company.

Raymond married Christine Widacki in 1952 and they recently celebrated their 65th anniversary. For the past 5 years, Christine has been in a nursing home under care for Alzheimer’s. He was dedicated to visiting his bride daily to care for her until July when his health prevented him to continue. They are charter members of St. Michael Catholic Church in Bedford, where they were both active as Eucharistic ministers. Ray is survived by his wife Christine, children; Cindy Caloss (Ron), Kit Bolte, and Ray Royal Jr. (Kathleen). Grandchildren; Jeff Rutledge, Ashley Snider (Drew), Matthew Royal, Zachary Royal, Jessica Bolte, Jennifer Bolte, great-grandson; Bradley Eden, with 2 more great-grandchildren due in the next 5 months and siblings; Jerry Royal, Berry Royal, Shirley Daniel (Ed) and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made by making donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society https://donate.lls.org/lls/donate or to support youth sports at The Heads Up! Foundation https://www.theheadsupfoundation.org/donate.