Kenneth James Royer (Kenny) was born on 4-24-1939 in Carthage to Harold Aquilla Royer and Ella Faye (Baumann) Royer and was the eldest of 5 children. Kenny went to be with the Lord on December 27, 2014 at 10:01 am after a courageous battle with cancer. His family moved to Joplin at an early age. Kenny attended Joplin schools and was a proud member of the “Class of 57”.
He married Karen Lee Bagby on December 3, 1976 in Miami, Ok.
Kenny began working as a caddy and then progressed to the pro shop at Twin Hills where he learned to play and love the game of golf. He worked for Tamko, Medlin Tire, and G & H Bandag in Springdale until he and his wife Karen opened Royer Tire Service on April 1, 1977. He continued to work at Royer Tire until ill health forced him to retire in 2013. He was well respected as an honest and hardworking business man. From this he gained many friends that he considered family.
Kenny was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and he proudly supported the Missouri Southern Athletics as a Lionbacker for many years. Kenny and Karen especially followed the basketball team from Bobby Corn’s playing time until he retired as the coach. He was a charter member of the Sunrise Optimist Club until it disbanded.
He loved fishing and playing golf with his 3 brothers and sister. He loved his family and spent many hours watching wrestling matches, rodeos, music concerts, plays, and drumline performances.
He is survived by his wife Karen and sons David Royer and wife Linda Hand of Joplin, Dennis Royer and girlfriend Maria Peck of Independence Mo, and daughters Wednesday Arend and boyfriend Robert Horn, and Jennifer Crosswhite and husband Glenn all of Joplin. Seven Grandchildren Lyndsey Davidson (Matt) of Lamar, Justin Crosswhite (Mellissa) of Fargo, ND, Kendall Crosswhite of Joplin, Andrew Noel of Stillwater, Ronnie Crosswhite and fiancé Levi Henry of Joplin, Valerie Royer of Joplin, and Will Arend of Joplin. Two great grandchildren Gehrig Davidson and Mattingly Davidson of Lamar and a future “baby” Davidson due in February. Also surviving is his brother Chuck Royer and wife Vicki of Bartlesville, Ok. Sister-in laws Cheryl Royer of Bella Vista and Sharon Royer of Joplin a host of friends, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, sister Barbara Farmer Bryan, brothers Larry Royer of Bella Vista, and LeRoy Royer of Joplin.
Special thanks to Regional Hospice for all of their help and compassion especially Mark, Tonya, and Tasha.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church of Diamond with Pastor Ron Crow officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pallbearers include Wayne Moss, Grady Weston, James Zerkle Jr., Pat Fink, Cecil Brill, and Clyde Daniels. Honorary pallbearers are Larry Shepherd and James Glass. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Parker Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made at any SMB Bank location to the Kenny Royer Memorial Fund for MSSU Men's Basketball.
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