Raised in McAllen, he attended Lamar Middle School and McAllen High School. This is where he met the love of his life (Maria Olympia Bath) his high school sweetheart. Roy excelled as an athlete for the McHi Bulldogs as their star running back. He was 14AAAA High Scorer in 1961, Team Captain, 3-year letterman and First Team All Zone. He also was a 4-year letterman in track and field where he eventually set the record at McHi in the 100-yard dash in 1961 with a time of 9.7 seconds. That record held until 1985 when they changed over to meters in place of yards. Roy then served in the US Air Force for 20 years as an Aircraft Power Systems Technician and retired after 20 years of service as a Tech Sergeant. His greatest accomplishment though was being father to 3 and a loving husband to Maria to the end.
He is survived by 3 children, Rogelio Zapata III, Melissa Ann Zapata, and William Clarence Clifton. He is also a grandfather of 8 and great-grandfather of 5 whom all called him Papa or Pop. He loved his family with all of his heart and soul.
We are asking all that in lieu of flowers to make an equivalent donation towards Parkinson’s research organizations such as Michael J. Fox Foundation or the Parkinson’s Foundation.
