Royce Warren McCray
Royce Warren McCray
Cedar Rapids
Royce Warren McCray, 82, of Caddo Mills, Texas passed away on August 12, 2024, in Rockwall, Texas. A Celebration of Life open house will be held on September 14 from 3-6 at his daughter’s home in Marion to toast a fun-loving man who was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and friend.
He is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Della McCray, of Caddo Mills, Texas: children, John (Amy) Wolfe of Indiana, Brenda Wolfe of Caddo Mills, TX, Cyndy (Howard) Muchow of Galena, IL, Kathy Cupps of Cedar Rapids, Shannon Ford-Lanphier (Kevin) of Marion, and Chrissy McCray of Cedar Rapids; 14 grandchildren, Racheal and Sarah, Amanda, Andrea, Carissa, Alicia, Miranda, Cole, Tim, Leah, Sydney, Lainey, Day, and Trei as well as many great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Marla Tenley, and nieces and nephews, Joyce, Warren, Kevin, Scott, Samantha, Rae Ann and Alana.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Warren McCray, and sister Joyce.
Royce was born on October 19, 1941, in Tampa, Florida to Vance and Helen McCray. He spent some of his youth growing up in the mountains of Colorado, before moving to Iowa. He was a 1960 graduate of Cedar Rapids Washington High School, where he had fond memories of his time spent on the football field. Royce went on to proudly serve his country as a Paratrooper and Green Beret Medic in the United States Army from 1960 to 1963. He owned several businesses throughout his life, including the family business, McCray’s Midwest Chicks, however spent the majority of his career as a refractionist for ophthalmologist and close friend, Dr. Clifford Hendricks. While he resided in the Cedar Rapids area for a great deal of his life, he spent several years living and working in Missouri, prior to moving to Texas.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman, with many cherished memories made with dear friends on their annual fishing trips to Canada, including Ron Livingston and Mark Ultis. He was also a lifelong Bridge player and member of the American Contract Bridge League, earning Platinum Life Master in 2023. He made many long-lasting friendships through the game of bridge, and continued to play with those friends, near and far, both in person and online until May 2024. Royce was a great cook and loved to host family and entertain friends over the years. Their home was always open. He took pride in his yard and loved flowers and gardening. He was also a sports fan, and on game days you could find him in his recliner watching the Dallas Cowboys or the Mavericks.
He had a deep love for animals and cherished the many pets he had throughout his life, including those he leaves behind. He had a great deal of love for his family and his friends, and he lived a life that demonstrated his generosity of spirit. There was truly nothing he would not do to help those he loved. He will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him.