Roy Edwin Kimsey, Jr., 82 of Midland, passed away on Friday, October 20th, 2017, peacefully in his sleep. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, October 23, 2017 at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church where he was a lifelong member and an acolyte as a teenager.Roy was born on June 19, 1935 in Midland, Texas. He graduated from Midland High School in 1953 where he was a three-year letterman in football, track and basketball. He spent four years at the University of Texas at Austin where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. After graduation and two years in the Army, where he rose to the rank of captain, he returned to Midland and began a long and successful career as an independent oil man.Affectionately called the “eternal optimist,” Roy loved the oil industry and continued to drive to the office every day until his death to work alongside his loyal office manager of 20 years, Connie Barnes.Roy had ventures outside of the oil business that kept us all entertained. In the 1960s he created a zoo for Midland at Cloverdale Park, southeast of town. In the 1970s he corralled some buddies and started the La Bodega restaurant after they joked that they couldn't get a decent enchilada in town. In the 1990s he decided to build an ostrich farm in the back yard and somehow managed to make the cover of the Wall Street Journal over the matter. He loved his Texas Longhorns and made over 60 trips to the Texas vs. OU game each October.Roy is preceded in death by his parents, Lillian and Roy Edwin Kimsey Sr.; and his sister, Charlotte Self. Roy is survived by the love of his life, Diane Dowling Nash of Midland and San Antonio, his daughter, Kristen Deweese and husband Jonathan; and granddaughter, whom he adored, Miles Deweese. He is also survived by nieces, Sandra Dragisic and husband Arthur of Midland, Nancy Dacy of Austin and nephew Daniel Self and wife Mindy of Durango, Colorado; cousin, Suzanne McBride; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.We will miss his corny jokes, his grand plans and ever-optimistic outlook on life. His joy was evident, especially for his granddaughter Miles in all of her endeavors. He made lifelong friends in Midland and at the University of Texas who have become family. We are so grateful for each of you. Honorary pallbearers include Lee Caldwell, Bob Davenport, Paul Davis, Arthur Dragisic, Jonathan Deweese, Kirk French, Hunter Killian, “Budge” McDonnold, Daniel Self, George Thomas, Charles Tierce and Jack Wilkinson.In honor of his memory, an educational fund has been set up with Wells Fargo 500 W Texas Avenue to help Cameron, a child that had grown near and dear to his heart.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.,
