Dr. Royce R. Whitefield

Dr. Royce R. Whitefield was born on June 3rd, 1930 in Iraan Texas to Carlos Bethel Whitefield and Bessie Rosia Whitefield. He was one of 9 children. Jerry Shook, Carlos Whitefield Jr., Bill Whitefield, Bessie Schenk, Sue Meyers, Gwen Ramsey, Jean Gray, & his twin sister Joyce McMillian. Dr. Whitefield graduated from Iraan High School and went on to play football for San Angelo State University. He then went to the University of Texas Austin and upon graduation continued on to complete his degree as a Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Texas at Houston Dental School. Dr. Whitefield was a star athlete in all sports but he was best known for his speed and agility on the football field at both Iraan High School and San Angelo State University. Dr. Whitefield was also a very talented golfer and archer. He loved fishing on the Pecos and Rio Grande Rivers for catfish and hunting all wild game both in Texas and Colorado. He was a veteran Marine and served from 1951-1954 in the Korean War where he was wounded in battle and received the Purple Heart Medal. He also received the Korean Service Medal with 2 stars, U.N. Service Medal, & the National Defense Service Medal. He taught sunday school for many years in Big Lake, Texas and loved to give his time to various charities benefiting the less fortunate. He was quick to smile and difficult to anger. Always willing to help a stranger or a friend, he was an incredibly generous man to everyone he came in contact with. He was a wonderful father to his two daughters, Trina Whitefield Burns and Holly Whitefield Cohen. He took his girls with him everywhere and taught them how to do most everything, even if he didn't know how to do something he would figure it out so he could teach them and when the grandkids came along, he did the same thing with them. If either of his daughters or his grandkids asked about anything, he would learn all about it so he could help them to achieve any dream they had. He was brilliant and a nature and sports fanatic and could tell you the most facinating facts about the world, space, history, animals, geography, and sports. He started teaching his daughters to hunt and shoot as little bitty girls and continued to coach them on to great achievments in Archery. They both went on to win numerous medals, awards and set many records in both state and national archery competions under his coaching and guidance. He was such a patient and amazing coach in both archery and life to his daughters. His family was his life and his treasure. He always put his family first no matter what. He was a beloved father, grandfather, father in law, brother, uncle and friend. He was very close to all his brothers, sisters & cousins and always made everyone feel like a part of his family. All who knew him, loved him and while we will miss him terribly, we have all been so blessed to have known him. He is preceeded in death by his mother Bessie Meynig Whitefield, his father Carlos Bethel Whitefield, his brothers Bill Whitefield and Carlos Whitefield Jr., sister Jerry Shook, twin sister Joyce McMillian, & sister Sue Meyers. He leaves behind lots of love, laughter and many amazing memories with his sisters Bessie Schenk, Jean Gray, Gwen Ramsey and his beloved daughters Trina Whitefield Burns and her husband Paul Burns, Holly Whitefield Cohen and her husband Chris Cohen and his four treasured grand children Justin Scott Burns, Quinton Ray Burns, Taylor Nicole Cohen, Kyra Brianna Cohen and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Heaven is a brighter, sweeter place now that he is there. His love and life will continue on through his family, whom he held so dear. "So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear. Remember I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year." Memorial services will be held at the Boy Scout Hut in Iraan on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. followed by a graveside service at the Restland Cemetary in Iraan. In leiu of flowers, please send donations in his name to: Terrace West Nursing Home 2800 Midland Drive

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Dr. Royce R. Whitefield

June 3, 1930 - December 14, 2011