Roy Thomas Church

Roy Thomas Church, 76, made his peaceful departure in his Gig Harbor, WA home overlooking Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier on February 6, 2021. 

Roy’s big heart, giant smile (often slightly obstructed by his signature mustache), and incredibly calm demeanor were enjoyed by all who crossed his paths…especially as they listened to him tell the tales of his storied life.

“Captain Roy” received a Distinguished Flying Cross for his service as a Marine Corp Aviator/Bombardier Navigator in Vietnam then spent the next 40+ years as a Corporate Pilot flying dignitaries, royalty, celebrities, & CEO’s all around the world.  Roy approached his hobbies with the same zeal for precision and excellence.  He won awards as a competitive rifleman, racing sailor, and aerobatic pilot.  Over the years he hand built his personal bi-plane and even his dream sport car.  For the last thirteen years, his biggest joy was being a Volunteer Docent at the Museum of Flight.  An oral history interview can be found here https://digitalcollections.museumofflight.org/items/show/37291.   If he wasn’t off on some great adventure, his nose could be found buried in a book with a glass of his favorite scotch and a cigarette beside him, waiting for the next opportunity to tell a great story.

Roy is survived by his greatest love, best friend, adventure companion, and wife, Shannon.  Family members include nephew Travis, nieces Rachel & Jennifer and their families, Sister Charlotte, his favorite Aunt Alma, Shannon’s nieces & nephews, and cousins in the PNW.

A celebration of Roy’s life will be held at the Museum of Flight at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday March 6th .   The celebration will be shared virtually.  Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to the Museum of Flight at https://www.museumofflight.org/Giving/donate.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roy Thomas Church, please visit our floral store.