Royce Pride

Royce Kent Pride passed away August 19 in Panama City Beach, Florida. He was 93. Royce married Mary Lavonne Dillon in 1955 and had two children, Michael and Timothy (Nancy) and one granddaughter, Katherine (Pride) Chipman. Mary Lavonne passed away in 2019.

Royce was born June 12, 1933 in Otwell, Indiana to Hilbert and Juanita Pride and the oldest of three sons, Jerry and Robert (deceased). Upon graduating from high school, Royce became a US Navy reservist and was called for active duty during the Korean War. He spent a total of 13 years in the Navy where he was trained as an Electronics Technician and worked in that field after his Navy service. Later he became an industrial electrician working in coal mining near Evansville until retirement. He lived in Newburgh Indiana for many years where he and his wife raised their family. A few years after retirement he moved to Panama City Beach, Florida for the remainder of his life.

Royce was a practicing Christian and a member of First Baptist Church in Panama City. He loved dancing with his wife, IU basketball and was a lifelong runner, continuing to run until age 75 when a joint replacement ended his running, upon which he reverted to a two hours long walk each day.

A memorial service for Royce will be held at Harris Funeral Home, 705 Walnut Street Petersburg, Indiana on Saturday, September 19. Visitation will begin at 10 am with the service at 11 am. A graveside internment will follow the service.