Gene Paul Roy, 88, of Bella Vista, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of Monday, July 11 ^th , 2022.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 23 ^rd at Bella Vista Lutheran Church, 1990 Forest Hills Blvd., with Pastor Paul Hass officiating.   Burial will be at sea with full military honors from a U.S. Navy ship departing Norfolk Naval Station, Virginia.

Gene was born in Superior, Wisconsin to Frank and Verna Roy on Saturday, March 3 ^rd , 1934. He attended school in Superior, Cameron and Washburn, Wisconsin, where he was Senior Class President.  He married his wife of 64 years, LuAnn Gaedtke Roy on July 12, 1958 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington.  After retirement from the service of his country, Gene was a logistics engineer at Vought Aerospace Corporation in Dallas, Texas for three years. Gene then owned and operated his own commercial wall covering business in Arlington, Texas where he fulfilled contracts with many major firms, family-owned businesses and building contractors for over twenty years.

He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and served three tours in Vietnam while on active duty in the United States Navy. Gene rose to the rank of Aviation Electronics Senior Chief Petty Officer and was a flight engineer and Naval Aircrewman serving aboard the cruiser USS Des Moines and the aircraft carriers USS Ranger, USS America and USS John F. Kennedy on both helicopter and fixed wing aircraft.

Gene was a passionate servant leader and was deeply committed to his church, community and country. He was involved in Rotary International in Texas and Arkansas and served as assistant District Governor after serving as club President in both Texas and Arkansas. He was twice selected as a Paul Harris Fellow. Gene was instrumental in the U.S. flag program in all his clubs helping raise tens of thousands of dollars for scholarship programs.

Gene served ten years as a volunteer driver for the Bella Vista Courtesy Van Service and was instrumental in the creation and upkeep of the Benton County Veterans Wall of Honor at Town Lake.

Gene served tirelessly in his church, serving as an elder, committee member and as congregational President. He served on many boards over the years and provided leadership whenever requested. Gene also served as a scoutmaster for many years in Florida and the Washington, D.C. area. He was a Wood Badge Instructor and a member of the Order of the Arrow.

Gene is preceded in death by his father, Frank, his mother Verna, his brother Jim, his sister Barbara and daughter in law, Sadie.

Gene is survived by his wife, LuAnn of Bella Vista, His sons, Scott (Merri) of Bella Vista and John (Allison) of Frisco, Texas. He is also survived by a sister, Donna of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Gene has three grandchildren, Carly (Matthew Cleveland, Master Sergeant, USAF) of Lakenheath, England, Ryan and Alexa of Frisco, Texas and two great grandchildren, Eric and Rose of Lakenheath, England.

Memorials may be given to Bentonville Circle of Life Hospice, Rotary International, and the Bella Vista Lutheran Church Scholarship fund.

Men are known by many things, Gene will always be known by his firm handshake and sparkling blue eyes.

Sailor, rest your oars

Fair Winds and Following Seas