Roy Sidney Rossow

Roy was born to Reinholt and Betty (Wessel) Rossow on June 27, 1926 in Raleigh, North Dakota. In 1934, during the height of the Great Depression, Roy and his family moved to the Littlerock, Washington area by what he referred to as “Model-T covered wagon.” Roy grew up in the Black Lake/Delphi area with his identical twin brother, Ray, along with seven brothers and sisters, Grace, Leo, Helen, Betty, Irene, Emma, and Judy. Roy attended school in Delphi. In 1943, Roy joined the US Navy at age 17 and served on the USS Sargent Bay aircraft carrier as a Gunner’s Mate. While in the South Pacific during WWII, Roy and his shipmates on the Sargent Bay lent support to the American invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Following the end of the war, Roy left the Navy and returned to Washington. In 1949, he met the love of his life, Patricia May Morrow, at the Tropic Ballroom in Olympia. They courted for a year and were married on July 1, 1950. Only a year after their marriage, Roy and Patricia welcomed their firstborn Dana (“Bud”) in 1951. Bud was soon followed by his sister, Denise (“Sissy”) in 1953, and two years later by Debra (“Debbie”). And through the years, the Rossow family continued to grow. Bud married Nancy and they brought Valerie, Ron, and Dana into the fold; Sissy had Amanda and Arron; Debbie had Christopher, and later married Craig. Roy was an amazing craftsman and worked as a lather for over 33 years in Thurston County where he was a member of Lather Union Local 1144. He was a long time member of the Lacey Chapel and VFW Post 11402. At the VFW, Roy was Senior Vice Commander 2001-2002 and then Post Commander 2002-2004. Roy enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son and his grandsons. He also had a great love in the last few years for his pets, Mika and Ellie, who brought him much joy. Roy went home to be with the Lord and his loving wife, Patricia, on May 13, 2014, with his family by his side. Please leave memories of Roy or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.