David Gregory Roy

Published 5:52 pm Tuesday, January 7, 2020

David Gregory Roy, age 65, of Kissimmee, Florida, formerly of Washington, North Carolina, passed away Dec. 20, 2019, with his wife Brenda at his side after a courageous two-year battle with cancer.

David, a native of Washington, was born Nov. 18, 1954, in Asheville, to Gerard and Muriel Roy. After attending Washington High School, he went on to graduate from East Carolina University, Magna Cum Laude, with a BSBA and minors in Finance and Economics. While attending ECU, David met his future wife, Brenda Southard. Upon graduation in 1975, David started his business career with Blue Bell Corp., now VF Corp., and for the next 20 years held many management positions around the country in their Wrangler, Jantzen and Red Kap divisions. In 1995, he was recruited by Haggar Clothing Co. to their headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Upon his retirement in 2005, he held the title of Executive Vice President of Operations.

David is the past chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee of the American Apparel and Footwear Association. He served on the United Way Appropriations Committee. He served on the board of Swiss Mountain Village Resort as treasurer and chairman of the finance committee as well as many other business and civic organizations. Upon a short return to Washington in 2006, David served on the board of the Committee of 100, as well as on the finance committee of Downtown Washington on the Waterfront.

David took the time to mentor youth and serve the community in a number of capacities. He always maintained his love of fitness and sports and coached many of his children’s teams including soccer, T-ball, basketball and flag football. David thrived as a father and grandfather, and his children and grandchildren knew he was game to play, create or make anything they wanted! He was a lifelong runner and played on many basketball, tennis and couples’ volleyball teams but his latest love was pickleball, in which he medaled at the national level.

David is survived by his wife, Brenda, of Kissimmee, Florida; his son, David Jr., of Madison, Alabama, and his wife, Rebecca, and their two children, Katelynn and Taylor; his daughter, Wendy Cram, of Brookhaven, Georgia, and her husband, Christian, and their two children, Evan and Elsa. He is also survived by his sister, Julie Howdy, of Washington, and her husband, David, their daughter, Jennifer Allen and husband Scott, of Washington, DC, and their daughter, Kati, of Charlotte. David was preceded in death by his parents, Gerard and Muriel Roy, and his brother, Marty.

A private two-day Celebration of Life was held for David in Florida.

Donations may be made in David’s name at www.fisherhouse.org.