Roy Willis Rye

Roy Willis Rye, age 87, of Pickford, Michigan, died October 17, 2017 at War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Roy was born on April 4, 1930 to Charles Russell and Alma (Little) Rye in Sault Ste. Marie. Roy grew up in Pickford on the family farm and attended Pickford Schools. He joined the US Army in March of 1951 and married Jennie Louise Kennedy on July 31, 1952, just before he deployed to Japan in the Korean War. Upon his discharge in March of 1953, Roy returned to Pickford, and he and Louise bought her parents farm, where they raised their family, and lived for the rest of their lives. Along with farming, Roy worked at the A & P Store in Sault Ste. Marie, as a meat cutter. In 1963, he and Louise bought the Pickford Freezer Pac meat store. He and his family operated the store until 1987 when he retired. Louise died May 14, 2006. He also drove bus for Pickford Public Schools for many years. Roy was a member and elder of the Pickford Presbyterian Church, Pickford Farm Bureau, and the Pickford Historical Society. Roy loved to bowl and sponsored the Pickford Freezer Pac Meats Bowling team for many years. He and Louise square danced, and Roy played the guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and the harmonica. Roy is survived by his special friend, Arlene Portice; sons, Daniel Rye of Barbeau, Michigan, Kennedy (Jacqueline) Rye of Rudyard, Michigan; and daughter, JennyLou (Troy) Leach of Pickford. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Shawn Rye, Danielle (Kyle) Wood, Tara Rye, Eric (Annie) Rye, Charlie Rye, Jesse Lynn Rye, Jennafay Offenbecker, Cody Leach, and Ana Louray Leach; and great grandchildren, Dustin, Kailee, Zachary, Arianna, Jagger, Regan, and James; great-great grandchildren, Ava and Kason; brother, Fred (Dolores) Rye of Pickford; sister, Jean Hyslop of Bark River, Michigan; sister-in-law, Edith (Duncan) McKenzie of Sonora, California; and brother-in-law, Don Stirling of Pickford. Roy was preceded in death by his wife, Louise; son, Michael Roy Rye; great grandson, Dominic; and sister, Loreen Harrison. Services will be held Monday, October 23, 2017 at Pickford Presbyterian Church, 115 E. John Street, Pickford Michigan 49774. Visitation will begin at 10:00 A.M. followed by the Funeral Service at 1:00 P.M. Reverend Jessica Paulsen will officiate. Burial will be in Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township, Michigan.

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Roy Willis Rye

April 4, 1930 - October 17, 2017