Clear, 27° F
(Oct. 22, 2005)
Memorial services were held Thursday, Oct. 27 in Woodlake, Calif., for Roy William Saffon, 71, who died Saturday, Oct. 22 at his home from complications of lung cancer under the care of Tulare County Hospice.
He was born in Buckinghamshire, England on June 26, 1934, just minutes after his fraternal twin, Raymond, who died at the age of 23. Also preceding Roy in death was his mother, Gertrude Kohler Saffon and his father Edward William Saffon. Surviving is his sister, Lillian and brother in-law, Michael DelaZerda of Oroville, Calif. Roy came to the United States after completing his apprenticeship in plumbing at Collier & Catley, LTD in Reading, England. He served his National Service in 1954.
Roy earned his American citizenship in 2001. Roy had two daughters with his Philippine-born wife: Mary Ann and Susan. A second marriage to Ida Fookes produced no children, but he has maintained a loving relationship with her seven children.
Roy married Kay Justad in 1997 in Reno, Nev., and became a member of St. Clement's Episcopal Church. He was Junior Warden at the time of his death. He had been clean and sober for 20 years, and had been a great help to many recovering alcoholics, serving as secretary of the Woodlake AA meeting for over eight years.
Roy enjoyed bass fishing in the Tulare County lakes as well as enjoying fishing wherever he traveled. During numerous trips to Wyoming he fished the beautiful reservoirs and rivers of the Powell and Cody areas. Roy has grandchildren in the Philippines: Charmaine, Teddy, Amaris, Genevieve, and Anthony, who are the children of his daughter Mary Ann. He was devoted to grandchildren Augusta Ruth and her brother, Charlie Ragnvald, children of Kay's daughter, Justine Justad Larsen and her husband, Scott Larsen, of Powell, to whom he was "Papa Fish". Kathleen Justad of Campbell, Calif., has been a loving stepdaughter during the eight years her mother was married to Roy.
Ashes will be interred at St. Clement's Episcopal Church Columbarium, Woodlake, Calif.
For those who wish, remembrances may be sent to St. Clement's Day Care Center, 498 N. Valencia Blvd., Woodlake, CA 93286, the American Cancer Society or Habitat for Humanity.
