Roy Davis Wells

Roy Davis Wells was born in Uvalde, Texas on March 21, 1931, to Enid Elder and Roy E. Wells. He was raised in San Antonio, Texas by his grandparents Alice Creuzbaur and James Monroe Elder. Roy was a member of the Corps of Cadets at [then] Texas A&M College, graduating in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in history. He received a commission as a Second Lieutenant (Infantry), US Army Reserve. He later earned a graduate degree in journalism from Louisiana State University.

In addition to civilian schooling, Roy graduated from the U.S. Army Infantry School, U.S. Army Armor School, Department of the Army Advanced Public Relations Course, and Command and General Staff College. Stateside tours of duty included Fort Irwin, Fort Leavenworth, Fort Knox, the Pentagon, and Fort Cavazos (then Fort Hood). He served overseas in Iceland, Frankfurt West Germany, Bad Hersfeld (14th Armored Division troop commander on the East German border during the Cuban Missile Crisis), and Vietnam (U.S. Army Staff Headquarters in Long Binh). In addition to staff and command duties, Roy put his expert knowledge of Greek and Roman military history to use, teaching military history at Louisiana State University to ROTC students. He was twice awarded the Defense Service Medal, twice the Legion of Merit, twice the Meritorious Service Medal, and twice the Army Commendation Medal.

Called to active duty in 1954, Roy retired from the Army after 21 years of military service. He was then employed by the Texas Employment Commission in Temple, where he worked with local area employers and job seekers. He retired from this position after 18 years.

He was active in Temple Founder Lions Club for many years and was awarded Lion of the Year, served as club president, and participated in the annual Temple Lions Follies show. As an Amateur Extra Class ham radio operator, N5HQR was a member and past president of the Temple Amateur Radio Club. He used his expertise in radio antennas and knowledge of amateur radio to conduct many General Class License classes. In his leisure time he enjoyed listening to opera and classical music and reading about ancient military history. Roy was a faithful member of the Western Hill Church of Christ in Temple for more than 50 years.

Roy was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, brother Frank Worden Wells, and beloved wife of 63 years, Doris Duzan Wells. He is survived by daughters Karen Wells (Lance Hill) of San Saba and Linda Vitek of Fort Worth; and nephews Joe Dacy II (Jennifer), Robert Dacy (Grace), David Dacy, and David Duzan (Stacy). He is also survived by grandchildren Christopher Hench, Laura Hench, Ryan Vitek (Jenna), Tyler Vitek (Lauren), Reid Vitek (Nathan), and great-grandchildren Gracie, Canaan and Aubrey.

Visitation will be Monday, December 9 from 5:00 – 7:00 at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple, Texas, 3110 Airport Road Temple, TX 76504. There will be a private burial at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. Honorary pallbearers are James Basso, Mike Blackwell, Larry Stanford, all of Temple, and Tom Balderach of Big Spring.

The family wishes to offer our deepest gratitude to the dedicated and compassionate staffs at Morada Temple Independent Living and Skilled Nursing, TexMed Home Health, and Aspen Hospice and Palliative Care.

Donations and memorial gifts may be directed to Cherokee Home for Children, P.O. Box 295, Cherokee, Texas 76862 and Love of Christ Food Pantry, 2000 Airport Road, Temple, Texas 76504