ST. JOHN, Roy Charles - b. November 23, 1938 - d. February 11, 2024

[patyrn]

Roy Charles St. John, age 85, went home to be with the Lord on February 11, 2024.  He was born on November 23, 1938 in Independence, Kansas to Louis and Ida May St. John.

Roy was raised near Boulanger, Oklahoma and later moved to Longton, Kansas where he graduated from Longton High School in 1956.  He attended college at Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas and then joined the United States Navy where he was stationed at Pensacola Beach, Florida.

Roy met his wife, Sylvia, in 1958, and they were married on May 29, 1960.  Together they traveled the world while he worked for IBM as a computer programmer.  During his time with IBM, Roy worked on the IBM computers and software that powered NASA's space shuttle program and won an award for his work.  He also was a member of IBM's FSD Charitable Contributions campaign in Houston, Texas where they set record-breaking numbers in campaign donations in 1981.  He spent 32 years with IBM.

Roy was very involved in his community.  He was an active member of the Methodist Church and generously donated time and money to causes he was passionate about including St. Jude's Hospital and the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization.  He dedicated time to coaching his sons' baseball and basketball teams and served as guardian ad litem for foster youth.

After retirement, Roy served as a lay speaker at the Elgin Methodist Church, a substitute teacher at Sedan High School, and was actively involved with the Osage Nation.  He spent years in Pawhuska, Oklahoma as a cattle rancher where his grandchildren made amazing memories with him.  In 2016, Roy and Sylvia moved to Texas to be closer to family. 

Roy was a proud member of the Osage Nation and instilled in his children and grandchildren a deep pride for their Native heritage.  Roy was loved by everyone who knew him, and he never met a stranger.  A phenomenal storyteller, he had a passionate and vibrant personality that inspired and engaged all who came in contact with him. He was a loving husband, strong father, and amazing grandfather and great-grandfather. Words cannot describe how much he will be missed. 

Roy is survived by his best friend and loving wife, Sylvia St. John; his sons, Charles, Jeffrey, and Kenneth St. John; his six grandchildren, Brandon, Jamie, Sarah, Emily, Julia, and Jennifer; and his six great-grandchildren, Hayes, Rhett, Harper, Kynlee, Farah, and Norah.

The memorial service for Roy St. John was held on March 2, 2024 at Grace Community Fellowship in Fort Worth, Texas.

(published in the Prairie Star - 3/6/2024)