Royce Wayne McFadden, 62, passed away in a car accident in Limon, Colorado on July 5th. He was returning home from a dog show in Sedalia, Missouri where his Bichon Frise, Beau, won a four point major giving him his U.S. AKC Bichon Frise Championship.
Royce was born in Dyersburg, Tennessee and moved to Salinas, California at the age of twelve. Royce enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp on August 31, 1965. He served his country honorably as a Helicopter Crew Chief and Door Gunner during the Vietnam War earning a Purple Heart and numerous other military medals of honor.
Following his discharge and year- long recovery at Oak Knoll Hospital, in Oakland, California, Royce made his residence in Hollister, California. He was a Deputy Sheriff for fifteen years in San Benito County and also held the position of Under Sheriff. He then went on to work as a Deputy Sheriff for Santa Clara County for twelve years before retiring from the force. After retiring, Royce took his background knowledge, experience, and training and put it to use when he opened and operated his own private investigation company in 1997, Royce McFadden Investigations based in Hollister. He worked closely over the years with Hollister attorney and friend, Roseanne McLean. In October of 2004, he moved to Riverbank, California while still operating his private investigation business.
Royce was active in the Hollister community. He was a member of the Hollister Elks Lodge #1436 for thirty-eight years. Royce was also a Member/Board of Directors, of the San Benito County Fair Board and proudly served as a member of the San Benito County Grand Jury. In addition, he participated on numerous fundraisers for the local community.
Royce loved sports. He was a pitcher on the co-ed softball league for many years while living in Hollister. He also played golf with close friends whenever possible and he enjoyed bowling. Upon moving to Riverbank, he golfed as much as four times a week with his friends Orby, Tom, and Sandy of Turlock. Royce enjoyed traveling with his wife to Hawaii, Mazatlan, Palm Desert, New York, Eastern Canada, and local getaways. Royce was also a loyal San Francisco 49er and Giant’s fan! During basketball season, he would be cheering on the Golden State Warriors.
Royce was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Vickie. He opened up his heart and arms to his two step-children, Jennifer and Brian, and their families and loved them as his own. He adored his little granddaughter, Ava Rose and looked forward to putting her to sleep for her afternoon naps. Royce was very proud of his son Britt and loved his granddaughter Christine Marie from the moment he laid eyes on her. Royce enjoyed spending holidays with his entire family. This was very special to him. If you were lucky enough to know and become Royce’s friend, you became a friend for life and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for you.
Royce is survived by his wife, Vickie; son, Britt McFadden (wife Tiffany) and granddaughter, Christine Marie of Farmington, Missouri; two step-children, Jennifer Rosales (husband Desi) and Brian Stone (wife Kelly), granddaughter, Ava Rose Rosales, mother-in-law, Rose Kenealy, all of Riverbank, California; brothers: Jerry McFadden of San Jose, California, Don McFadden (wife Teddie) of Hollister, California, and Larry McFadden (wife Betty) of Salinas, California; nephews: Greg and Jeff McFadden of San Jose, California, and Robbie McFadden of San Francisco, California; niece, Kelley Hernandez and great nieces, Jordan and Sara Hernandez of Hollister, California.
Royce is preceded in death by his father, J.D. McFadden; mother, Wilma Owsley; and brother, Jimmy Owsley.
A memorial service to honor the life of Royce Wayne McFadden will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home, 870 San Benito Street, Hollister, California. Following the memorial service, family and friends are invited to gather at the Apostolic Church at 1515 Santa Ana Road in Hollister.
