Roy Gordon Newcomb - August 15, 1948 to September 17, 2016

Born in Houston, Texas to Carolyn and Paul Newcomb. Preceding his birth, his parents and older brother Steve moved to Houston from the east coast when Paul was offered the opportunity of work at Sheffield Steel.

Roy was the only native Texan in his family--a fact in which he reveled and surely never let the rest of his family forget! He loved being a Texan and never once in all his travels shied away from letting everyone know it was the best place in the world to be from. His love of boots, hats, the cowboy way, his personality and his very name were relative to his love of all things Texan

He grew up in Galena Park in a tiny post war duplex that his Dad converted over time into a single home. During high school he did exceedingly well in art, bowling, golf, skipping class to surf, and charming his way out of trouble. After graduating, he and a few friends took to hanging out in the local Methodist Church parking lot during Saturday night teen dances where they were chased away for drinking beer. Eventually he ditched the beer and decided to come in to the dance and see what it was all about.

This was a pivotal decision. That night he not only met the girl he would marry 2 years later, he found out that it had been her Dad who patrolled the parking lot and had ran him off. He may have gotten off to a rocky start with Royce, Donna's Dad, but in 1969, the day following his 21 st birthday, Roy and Donna were wed in that very church.

They lived in Houston where he worked his way from stationary store clerk to Public Relations Director of Limousine Services, Inc. He so impressed the manager of the Houston Oaks Hotel with his personality and penchant for service that he was hired in 1971 to be catering manager, opening a brand new hotel called Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

A few years and a several of promotions later saw the addition of sons Dustin and Bryce—and where once there had been two, a little family grew. Opportunity took them to Arkansas, Virginia, then back to Houston as Roy's career took off. He was creative and driven, excelling in opening new properties, working with the developers, hiring staff as well as setting up policies and procedures. The recipient of many industry recognitions, h e was known well in the industry as the guy to call to jump start sales and increase revenue.

On the home front, Roy enjoyed teaching his boys sports, he stepped in as baseball coach and field prep volunteer, and took time to serve as scout master. He loved that his home was always filled with young people, several of which became his surrogate children.

When Donna joined Chesmar Homes, so did he--working in the sales offices part-time supporting the sales staff. He was a natural coach and mentor and leant huge support to Donna in her career. His experience, insight and creativity not only helped her, but many of the company's sales staff. He felt and was treated like an invested member of the Chesmar Family.

Roy was a very proud father, but the role of grandfather seem to fit him best. He delighted in his grandchildren and often bragged about spoiling them. One never had to ask him about his grandchildren—every conversation somehow wound its way round to them, sharing his delight in them and comical stories of their antics. He had a very special relationship with Jet, Evan, Clayton, and Mayzi—as they did with their GrandBaer.

Roy's ability to make others feel good by shining his attention on them is a testament to his generous heart and a legacy to his family and friends. His light may have gone out, but his spirit lives on in hearts and memories. As celebrations marking Roy's 68 th birthday as well as he and Donna's 47 th wedding anniversary unfortunately had to be set aside last month, the Newcomb family hopes that you will join us in righteous celebration of those events today as we shine our light on him and take joy his life.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Valentine and Carolyn Baer Newcomb as well as his brother Steven P. Newcomb. He is survived by his wife, Donna Carter Newcomb, their sons, Dustin Carter Newcomb and Gordon Bryce Newcomb, their grandchildren, Jet Newcomb, Evan Newcomb, Clayton Badawi, and Mayzi Newcomb, as well as his sister-in-law, Angie Newcomb.