Smucker, Roy W. (1915-2006)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2006 Apr 17 p. 11

Birth date: 1915 Jul 12

text of obituary:

ROY W. SMUCKER, SR.

Roy W. Smucker Sr., 90, of Crossville, Tenn., died Feb. 27, 2006. He was born July 12, 1915, in Smithville, Ohio, to William and Bertha Smucker.

During World War II, he served as business manager in the following Civilian Public Service camps: Wells Tannery, Pa., Galax, Va., Three Rivers, Calif., PHS, Fla., and the Akron, Pa., office.

In 1946, he began mission work for Mennonite Central Committee and was assigned to the Philippines and became director of Church World Service. There he met and married Ellen Gregorio.

In 1950, he joined the staff of Stilliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental as business manager of the printing press. After returning to the United States three years later, he joined Mennonite Publishing House in Scottdale, Pa. He was transferred to Bloomington, Ill., where he started a new Christian bookstore.

In 1963, he and his family moved to Champaign, Ill., where he started his own Christian bookstore. He retired to Fairfield Bay, Ark., in 1980 and became assistant state director for AARP. He and Ellen moved to Fairfield Glade, Tenn., in 1989, where he became state coordinator for 55 Alive and continued being active in AARP.

He was an active member of Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church and sang in the men’s chorus. He was a member of Crossville Wood Carving Club. He enjoyed wood carving.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Ellen; two sons, Roy Jr. of Asheville, N.C., and Robert of Atlanta, Ga.; a sister, Doris; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Orden.

Memorial services were held at Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church. Burial was in the Memorial Garden.