RIP Del Roy

By Staff

Sept. 13, 2014

A wonderful and truly special man has left us. Del Roy, born Roy Weinedel Jr. on September 24, 1921 in Louisville, Kentucky, died Friday, September 5, 2014, just shy of his 93rd birthday.

He served in the Merchant Marine as a tugboat captain in Marseilles during World War II. After the war, he attended The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, returning to Kentucky to begin a career in broadcasting. After a move to California and years working in the record business and real estate, he returned to his first loves, acting, television and movie voice-overs and reading books on tape. His distinctive voice can be heard on a "Hire a Vet" commercial still airing on KVAL and on several audio books available at the Eugene Public Library. He and his wife moved to Eugene in 2010 to be near his daughter and grandchildren.

A man of great intellect and integrity, charm and wit, he loved reading, music, film, the arts, and anything French. He was an avid supporter of public libraries and vocal advocate for women's rights. Maintaining his great sense of humor, he recalled, on one of his last days, a favorite New Yorker cartoon depicting these words on a tombstone, "I told you I was sick." In the words of the great Frank Sinatra, he "did it his way."

He leaves behind his best friend and wife of 46 years, Fran Roy; his daughter, Beverly Roy and son-in-law, Ned Forman of Eugene; a son, Roy Weinedel and grandson, Tony Weinedel of Mississippi; brother, Jim Weinedel of North Carolina; sister, Pat Denny (pre-deceased); granddaughter, Kim Fulton Menjou and husband, Richie; and grandson, Zane Fulton and his fiancée, Stephanie Dizikes. Great-granddaughter, Bryce Menjou, will also miss her Grandpa Del, but will have the pleasure of hearing his voice on taped bedtime stories as she gets older.

Del was loved by his family and many friends. He will be missed and remembered by all. He requested that his ashes be sprinkled over wine country. A private gathering for family and friends will be held at a later date.

Born: 9/24/1921, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.

Died: 9/15/2014, Eugene, Oregon, U.S.A.

Wild Bill – 1995 (gambler)