Obituary of Roy Eugene McDermott

Roy Eugene McDermott, 96, died Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Visitation: 5-7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 10, 2023 at Thompson’s Harveson & Cole Funeral Home.  

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 11, 2023 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Fort Worth.  

Entombment: Greenwood Mausoleum. 

Pallbearers: Buck, Jack and Hunt Tower, Jack Coulborn, Jonathan Garner, Scott McDermott, Valentine Obasi, Eduardo Moreno, Ollie Albritton, and Roy also requested the honor of being parked one last time by his buddy on the River Crest CC parking staff, Donald Clarke.

The youngest of four children, Roy was born on February 20, 1927, in Cameron, Texas to Sam Houston and Maude Johnson McDermott. He served in the US Army occupation forces in Japan following World War II, after which he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BBA. In 1949, he moved to Fort Worth and began a thirty-five-year career with The Fort Worth National/Texas American Bank, during which time he served as president of The Steeplechase Club and as an active member of various other civic and charitable associations. In 1961, he married his true love, Katherine Camp (Kaye) Buck and they enjoyed each other, their children and grandchildren together for nearly 60 years before her death in May 2021.

A favorite saying of Roy’s was, “Life’s a journey, not a destination.” All throughout his journey, in true gentlemanly fashion, he strove to make it a happy one for his cherished wife and family, to whom he was devoted, and for the many other loyal travelling companions he acquired, with love, integrity, commitment, a keen sense of humor and beaming smile.

Roy was preceded in death by his wife Kaye and daughter Stephanie McDermott, his parents, beloved sister Wis Nolte, and brothers Sam (Bubba) and Make McDermott of Cameron. 
He is survived by his daughters Katherine Tower and husband, Andrew, of Houston, and Mary Margaret Coulborn and husband, Peter, of Fort Worth; six grandchildren, Buck, Jack and Hunt Tower, Savannah Kaye Volmert and Emma and Jack Coulborn; niece, Madeleine McDermott Hamm; nephew, Make McDermott, Jr. and wife Jean; grand-nephew Scott McDermott; grand-niece Catharine McDermott West; and many to whom he was a surrogate father.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all of his private, passionate caregivers and to the staff at Broadway Plaza.

Should friends wish to commemorate Roy’s life, his family respectfully suggests memorial contributions be made to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Arlington or a charity of choice.