Roy Woodvall Persons Jr.

LaRoy “Roy” Woodvall Persons, Jr., 85, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2025, in Tampa, Florida. Born to LaRoy and Marion in Cleburne, Texas, on March 5, 1940, Roy lived a life filled with purpose, intellectual pursuit, and deep appreciation for travel and the arts. In the arena of life, he was a force of nature—passionate, willing, consequential.

A dedicated psychologist, therapist, and mentor, Roy spent his career inspiring curiosity, discovery, and compassion in others. He touched and improved the lives of innumerable people, directly and indirectly, through his work with thousands of students and patients throughout more than five decades of his life’s work. Roy’s world was also shaped by and adorned with the pursuits and pleasures he enjoyed most: playing and watching tennis, creating and collecting art, exploring new places, embracing the natural world, and sharing stories and laughter with his son and close friends over a delicious meal and glass of wine. He approached life with warmth, thoughtfulness, and a pure spirit of wonder—leaving an enduring imprint of goodness in this world and among his fellow human beings.

Having shed its earthly husk, Roy’s soul will, at long last, find and dwell in eternity with Carol—his first, truest love. He is survived by his beloved son James Scott, daughter-in-law Katie, granddaughters Josephine and Alexandra, his loving sister Janet, and the most loyal of lifelong friends: Beth, Kathleen, and Eldra. He will be remembered for his kindness, conversation, humor, and the rich legacy of love he leaves cherished in the memory and heart of each who knew him.

A celebration of Roy’s life will be held at his family’s home in Tampa. In honor of Roy’s passions, the family invites donations to Operation Smile or to a local museum or arts foundation in his memory.