Roy was born November 30, 1925 in a Pioneer home in Bryant, WA. Roy was the sixth child of Louie and Addie Markson, who have all preceded him in death.

Roy joined the Navy when he was 17 and served on the famed destroyer the USS John Rogers during WWII.

In 1949 Roy married Mary Jean Warren in Arlington, WA. They had five daughters, losing two of them as infants.

He logged in Forks, WA then worked at the Monroe Reformatory for seven years.

Roy and Jean moved to Salem, OR in 1958 where he was asked by PJ Squire to come as a training officer and select a staff for the new Oregon State Correctional Institution.

After making Captain in 1968, Roy continued his education where he was a JCI Senator #6794, taught a Dale Carnegie Course, was a member of Toast masters and instructed Judo and Firearm classes.

He is survived by his wife Jeannie of 62 years, his daughters Melody Brooks (Clyde), Kim Larsen (Tim) and Tari Harding.

He was proud of his grandchildren Rachelle, Scott, Jessica, Cooper, Trevor, Grant, Jamie, Logan, Garrett, Brock and his 9 great grand children.

Roy will stick around until Jean is ready to join him. They will then depart for their final resting place in Arlington, WA, where they will join their two infant daughters.

A memorial service was held at 1 pm on Saturday, December 31, 2011 at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service in Salem.