Obituary of Royce Eugene McLaughlin

Royce E. McLaughlin passed away peacefully with family at his side on Monday, October 23, 2023 after a brief illness.  

Royce was born in Fort Worth, Texas on January 27, 1945, to Edward M. and Stella (Moren) McLaughlin. Royce returned to call Fort Worth home after graduating from R.L. Paschal High School and then graduating from North Texas State University (where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity) and after serving proudly in the United States Air Force.

In September of 1968, Royce married the love of his life, Judy Johnston, after dating for 5 years. In the midst of basic training for the USAF, Royce called Judy after going nearly a year without seeing or speaking to each other and asked her what she might think about getting married. Thankfully, she thought it was a good idea. She was the love of his life and he thought of her as his college sweetheart and girlfriend throughout their 53 years of marriage. Theirs was a great love story and one that Royce loved to talk about even more after Judy’s passing in 2021. Royce and Judy shared many passions, but none was greater than serving their community. Through over 25 years of delivering for Meals on Wheels, joining in on youth mission trips, serving at a local Hispanic mission, quietly and anonymously supporting charitable and arts organizations while also teaching Sunday School at University Baptist Church and then at Arborlawn UMC, Royce and Judy touched many other lives and set a wonderful example for their family and friends. Royce and Judy have two sons, Courtney and John Ryan (aka JR).

In the last two years, Royce enjoyed playing “Manny” to Courtney’s three children (Elle, Heather, David) – getting them from school and treating them to just about anything they wanted on the way home. Royce proved an excellent tutor (although vocal in his protests against the “new math”) as well. Royce loved being around his grandchildren and their friends – he was an excellent judge of Christmas Cookie Decorating and pumpkin carving. He was also the Proud Papu to JRs two daughters, Claire and Jenna. He relished in their great academic, athletic and artistic accomplishments. A prouder grandfather there never was. Strong in his Christian faith and an ardent student of the Bible, Royce gladly shared his faith with family and friends. As a member of Arborlawn United Methodist Church, Royce shared Bible study with an incredible Sunday School class.

He is preceded in death by his parents and beloved wife. 

Royce is survived his son, Courtney (& his husband, Alun, and their children: Elle, Heather, David) and his son, JR (& his children: Claire and Jenna and their mother, Christy); brother, Edward (& wife, Shannon); nephew, Dallas and family; niece, Anna Lisa and family; nephew, David and family. Royce is also survived by family and friends (some considered “blood”, some not, but all beloved): “Sister” Aileen McGrath Brown and her husband, Robert; Mary Dale Headrick, Don Combs, Gary Brown, John Shelton, James B. Clark and Kelly, Becky and Joe Rogers, Bill & Faye Belew, Tammy Wortham, Tracie Bryant, Kay & Bill Wright and many other friends and extended family members.  

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the entire team at Harris Methodist Downtown Fort Worth in the 4th Floor MICU for their excellent care, attention to detail and loving spirit of service.  

Please join family and friends for a Memorial Service on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., Arborlawn United Methodist Church in the Chapel with a reception to immediately follow in the foyer, 5001 Briarhaven Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76109.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Meals On Wheels, Inc. of Tarrant County, (817) 336-0912 (office) or online at www.mealsonwheels.org (click “Donate Today”).