Roy Canaday

After 64 years of play, adventure, and showing off his gizmo wizardry literally across the seas, husband and father Roy Alan Canaday has left our realm on Aug. 24, 2013, to snorkel and fish the beautiful waters for centuries to come. As Roy would say, "Grab your gear and a beer; the water's waiting." Roy hit the stage on May 27, 1949, brought to you by Nadine Vinson Canaday Fees and Louis L. Canaday in Bartlesville, OK. From the get-go, Roy's passions included tinkering with cars and learning anything he could get his hands on, from technology to all things in nature. He grew up running and pranking with his sisters Cheryl and Nita, fishing with Dad, gardening with Mom, and exploring the fields and streams of the metropolis of Bartlesville. After whizzing through high school, Roy served and protected our country in the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician. His extraordinary knack for gears and gadgets landed him in simulation training on the cool Navy jets that wow us in the movies (and in real-life combat). The Navy sent Roy to gorgeous Hawaii, where he suffered through incessant snorkeling, sea fishing, and luaus. There, he clamped eyes on his spunky, little wife-to-be Sommai, and soon they were inseparable. After getting hitched and bounding about the islands a bit, Roy transferred and transported his new family to a quiet and reserved (not by a long shot) town called N'awlins (known to the rest of the world as New Orleans). As one might expect, Roy happily dove right into the spicy seafood, friendly culture, and musical Ragin Cajun parades. We don't really know if his technologist expertise was still a passion or a curse at this point, but when he retired as a chief from the U.S. Navy, he easily scored a position with the U.S. Postal Service as... you guessed it -- an electronics technician. His skill set was so revered that he quickly achieved Master level Certified Electronic Technician. Still working with the USPS, Roy took Sommai back to Bartlesville so they can be near family. He retired from the USPS in 2013. Throughout his life, Roy was known for being ridiculously intelligent, down to earth, laid back, fun-loving, imaginative, and giving to a fault. Roy opened his heart and his home to family and friends, allowing them opportunity to explore educational pursuits and grow their potential in numerous ways. He took people under his wing and taught, trained, and empowered them, wanting only to share knowledge and a few laughs. So many childhood interests stuck and grew with him... from cars and mechanics to ham radio operation... from master gardener to clucking with his chickens... from hunting & fishing to birds & bees (no, not that way... literally bird watching and bee keeping)... Roy enjoyed the little things in life, in a big way. Roy is survived by wife Sommai, mother Nadine, father Louis (Norma), sisters Cheryl and Nita, daughter Jamaree (Randall), and grandson Romare. Also closely knit are nephews Jason (Kelly), Bank, Por (Ja), and nieces Nikki, Sompong, and Sue. Roy has a huge, caring family, all of whom shared in his love. Come on down to celebrate Roy's life on Friday, Aug 30, between 4:00 - 7:00 pm, at Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home (710 S. Dewey Ave, Bartlesville, OK, 74003; www.honoringmemories.com). Per Roy's abhorrence of formals and funerals, required dress is casual (jeans recommended... no black clothing allowed). We look forward to sharing fun memories together, of which there are a lot, because Roy really was the best. "...You don't love hatred or evil, of course. You have to practice and see the real gull (person), the good in every one of them, and help them to see it in themselves. That's what I mean by love." (Richard Bach - Jonathan Livingston Seagull) Roy's most recent joy has been volunteering with the Garden Club at First Methodist Church's Garden of Eatin' www.facebook.com/bartlesvillecommunitygarden?ref=ts&fref=ts), which provides fresh vegetables (like 3500+ lbs/year!) to local food banks and service agencies. If you would like to contribute to this goodness, feel free to send a donation in Roy's name to: First United Methodist Church -- ref Garden of Eatin' PO Box 3636 Bartlesville, OK 74006

Visitation Details

Friday, August 30th, 2013 4:00pm - 7:00pm, Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home

Service Details

Friday, August 30th, 2013 4:00pm, Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home