Royce H. Elliott was born in St. Francis, KS May 22, 1944 and graduated to Heaven February 9, 2022, after fighting a courageous battle with lung cancer. Royce and his twin sister, Joyce, were born to parents Roy and Edna (Olson) Elliott. He grew up on the family farm/ranch north of Wray, CO. After he graduated from Wray High School in 1962, Royce went on to receive his silver diplomas when he earned his petroleum engineering degree (1966) and master’s degree (1970) from Colorado School of Mines.
Royce married Karen Pilkington July 12, 1964. After he graduated from Mines, they began their adventures in the petroleum industry with Chevron in Casper, WY where their son James Roy was born in 1966. Steven Douglas was born in Denver, CO (1969) and Mark William was born in Bakersfield, CA (1975). Royce spent his whole career with Chevron Oil Company, even though the company’s name changed a few times. Although they traveled and lived around the world, Colorado was always home; so it was an easy decision to settle in Grand Junction when he retired in 2004.
Through the years, this peon engineer worked hard, never said no to a new opportunity, and was given promotions until he retired in Kazakhstan as general manager of operations. Royce and his family were blessed to be able to work and travel all over the world, beginning in Tripoli, Libya in the 1970’s…quite an adventure for two kids from the sandhills of eastern Colorado! Many good people were put into Royce’s life…some were role models for him and later he passed it on by being a good role model and mentor for others. His favorite overseas assignment was Papua New Guinea. Oil had never been drilled there so he was part of a 4-man team who went in 1988 to see if would be feasible for Chevron to start exploration and production. They successfully scouted so Chevron built and opened the field, helping bring modern medicines, education, and prosperity to the natives in the PNG Highlands.
Everywhere Royce and Karen went, they tried to be good ambassadors for the U.S.A. and still have friends from each adventure. After retiring, Royce stayed active in the Colorado School of Mines Alumni Association, the Chevron Retirees group, and the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He enjoyed playing cards, number and word puzzles, golfing, fishing, hunting, driving for Meals on Wheels, 4-wheelin, taking Karen on “boondoggles”, and doing projects in and around the house.
Royce is survived by his wife of 57 1/2 years, Karen; three sons: Jim (Chris) Elliott of Sanford, NC, Steve (Sherry) Elliott of San Angelo, TX, and Mark (Maren) Elliott of Conifer, CO; his twin sister Joyce Godschalk Elliott of Goodland, KS; and 5 grandchildren: Joshua, Megan, Jenna, Riley and Aiden; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Memorial service will be on March 3 at 5:00 p.m. in Adobe Creek Club House and graveside service will be on March 5 at 10:00 a.m. at Wray Grandview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to HopeWest Care Center in Grand Junction.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.callahan-edfast.com for the Elliott family.
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