Roy Junior Sowell, age 73, passed from this life to rest and heal completely, in the arms of Jesus, March 23, 2018. He was born, April 4, 1944 to Rufus and Ellen Minchew Sowell, one of four children. Raised in the Woden community, he attended Woden schools, played basketball and graduated from Woden High School in 1962. After graduation, he enlisted in the U S Army and was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. While on leave, he met the love of his life, Janette, on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend and after a whirlwind romance, they were married September 28, 1964, before he deployed to a tour of duty in Viet Nam. While there, he earned a certificate of commendation. After being honorably discharged from the military, they made their home in Nacogdoches, where he worked at Nibco and attended Stephen F. Austin State University; he later received an Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston. Roy moved his young family to Houston, and later, to Spring, for many years, while working for Cameron Iron Works; after retiring, they moved back to Nacogdoches and he worked part-time for Bar-Win Associates, as a draftsman.
The special events in Roy's life revolved around his life with Janette, the birth of their son, Brian and the births of their granddaughters and great-grandchildren; he dearly loved spoiling his "grands", they meant the world to him! He enjoyed holidays spent together, church events and fellowship with his church family, travel to Eureka Springs, Arkansas and any opportunity to eat out. For many years he had a healthy appetite and in the last months, he really enjoyed his apple fritters, cinnamon twists and donuts. Time spent in front of the TV, watching old westerns, Fox News and the History Channel was a favorite past time.
In addition to his wife, Janette; Roy is survived by son, Brian Sowell; granddaughters, Amber Walker-Rye(Matt), Paige Sowell (boyfriend, Chris Quinn), Brianna Sowell and Grayce Sowell; great-grandchildren, Colton Walker and Cheyenne Walker; brother, Buddy Sowell; sisters-in-law, Cheryl Rogers (Harold) and Bobbie Lesley; brother-in-law, Jacky Collins (Gina); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, church family and good friends. He is loved and will most certainly be missed.
He was preceded in death, by his parents, Rufus and Ellen; sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Sam Ballard; brother, Bobby Allen Sowell; and sister-in-law, Wynette Sowell.
Serving as pallbearers will be Sammie Ballard, Jody Goldsberry, Chris Quinn, Marty Sowell, Jason Armstrong, Ron Speck and Jon Yarbrough.
Laird Funeral Home
The special events in Roy's life revolved around his life with Janette, the birth of their son, Brian and the births of their granddaughters and great-grandchildren; he dearly loved spoiling his "grands", they meant the world to him! He enjoyed holidays spent together, church events and fellowship with his church family, travel to Eureka Springs, Arkansas and any opportunity to eat out. For many years he had a healthy appetite and in the last months, he really enjoyed his apple fritters, cinnamon twists and donuts. Time spent in front of the TV, watching old westerns, Fox News and the History Channel was a favorite past time.
In addition to his wife, Janette; Roy is survived by son, Brian Sowell; granddaughters, Amber Walker-Rye(Matt), Paige Sowell (boyfriend, Chris Quinn), Brianna Sowell and Grayce Sowell; great-grandchildren, Colton Walker and Cheyenne Walker; brother, Buddy Sowell; sisters-in-law, Cheryl Rogers (Harold) and Bobbie Lesley; brother-in-law, Jacky Collins (Gina); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, church family and good friends. He is loved and will most certainly be missed.
He was preceded in death, by his parents, Rufus and Ellen; sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Sam Ballard; brother, Bobby Allen Sowell; and sister-in-law, Wynette Sowell.
Serving as pallbearers will be Sammie Ballard, Jody Goldsberry, Chris Quinn, Marty Sowell, Jason Armstrong, Ron Speck and Jon Yarbrough.
Laird Funeral Home
Roy Junior Sowell, age 73, passed from this life to rest and heal completely, in the arms of Jesus, March 23, 2018. He was born, April 4, 1944 to Rufus and Ellen Minchew Sowell, one of four children. Raised in the Woden community, he attended Woden schools, played basketball and graduated from Woden High School in 1962. After graduation, he enlisted in the U S Army and was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. While on leave, he met the love of his life, Janette, on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend and after a whirlwind romance, they were married September 28, 1964, before he deployed to a tour of duty in Viet Nam. While there, he earned a certificate of commendation. After being honorably discharged from the military, they made their home in Nacogdoches, where he worked at Nibco and attended Stephen F. Austin State University; he later received an Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston. Roy moved his young family to Houston, and later, to Spring, for many years, while working for Cameron Iron Works; after retiring, they moved back to Nacogdoches and he worked part-time for Bar-Win Associates, as a draftsman.
The special events in Roy's life revolved around his life with Janette, the birth of their son, Brian and the births of their granddaughters and great-grandchildren; he dearly loved spoiling his "grands", they meant the world to him! He enjoyed holidays spent together, church events and fellowship with his church family, travel to Eureka Springs, Arkansas and any opportunity to eat out. For many years he had a healthy appetite and in the last months, he really enjoyed his apple fritters, cinnamon twists and donuts. Time spent in front of the TV, watching old westerns, Fox News and the History Channel was a favorite past time.
In addition to his wife, Janette; Roy is survived by son, Brian Sowell; granddaughters, Amber Walker-Rye(Matt), Paige Sowell (boyfriend, Chris Quinn), Brianna Sowell and Grayce Sowell; great-grandchildren, Colton Walker and Cheyenne Walker; brother, Buddy Sowell; sisters-in-law, Cheryl Rogers (Harold) and Bobbie Lesley; brother-in-law, Jacky Collins (Gina); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, church family and good friends. He is loved and will most certainly be missed.
He was preceded in death, by his parents, Rufus and Ellen; sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Sam Ballard; brother, Bobby Allen Sowell; and sister-in-law, Wynette Sowell.
Serving as pallbearers will be Sammie Ballard, Jody Goldsberry, Chris Quinn, Marty Sowell, Jason Armstrong, Ron Speck and Jon Yarbrough.
Laird Funeral Home
The special events in Roy's life revolved around his life with Janette, the birth of their son, Brian and the births of their granddaughters and great-grandchildren; he dearly loved spoiling his "grands", they meant the world to him! He enjoyed holidays spent together, church events and fellowship with his church family, travel to Eureka Springs, Arkansas and any opportunity to eat out. For many years he had a healthy appetite and in the last months, he really enjoyed his apple fritters, cinnamon twists and donuts. Time spent in front of the TV, watching old westerns, Fox News and the History Channel was a favorite past time.
In addition to his wife, Janette; Roy is survived by son, Brian Sowell; granddaughters, Amber Walker-Rye(Matt), Paige Sowell (boyfriend, Chris Quinn), Brianna Sowell and Grayce Sowell; great-grandchildren, Colton Walker and Cheyenne Walker; brother, Buddy Sowell; sisters-in-law, Cheryl Rogers (Harold) and Bobbie Lesley; brother-in-law, Jacky Collins (Gina); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, church family and good friends. He is loved and will most certainly be missed.
He was preceded in death, by his parents, Rufus and Ellen; sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Sam Ballard; brother, Bobby Allen Sowell; and sister-in-law, Wynette Sowell.
Serving as pallbearers will be Sammie Ballard, Jody Goldsberry, Chris Quinn, Marty Sowell, Jason Armstrong, Ron Speck and Jon Yarbrough.
Laird Funeral Home
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