Fred Lee “Roy” Broce Jr. was born February 19, 1930 in La Junta, Colorado to Fred Lee and Loretta Irene (Casebolt) Broce. His passing was on November 19, 2022 in Mountain View, Missouri at age 92.
Roy grew up in southeast Colorado and the Oklahoma panhandle, where his father worked for the Santa Fe Railroad. He attended both country schools and Boise City, Oklahoma Public School. He started working for area wheat farmers as a teenager, driving tractors and feeding cattle. He also spent time working on area ranches as a cowboy. Later he went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad.
He married Frances Clark on December 16, 1950 at the Clark Ranch. In 1968, Roy and Frances adopted a son, Robert and in 1969 their daughter, Karen was born.
Roy served in the Army during the Korean conflict. After his service he started beef cattle farming near La Junta, Colorado. He also owned and operated Horseshoe Trailer Company where he built trailers and other ranch equipment.
In 1973 they moved the family and livestock to Hartshorn, Missouri. Roy operated a welding shop in Summersville, Missouri until 1992 when health caused him to quit welding. He then did custom farming and installed outdoor water furnaces until 1994 when they moved back to the dry Colorado climate for his health. There he operated a small engine service with his son Rob until retiring and moving back to Summersville.
Roy enjoyed roping clubs and rodeos, hunting, fishing and building things. He was known for his work with the old Summersville Mill restoration.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church and served as Sunday School superintendent in earlier years.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Loretta Broce; brothers, Elmer, Bob, Gene and Jerry Broce and a sister Irene Huffman.
He is survived by his wife Frances of the home; son Robert Broce of Crowley, CO; daughter, Karen White of Van Buren, MO; 2 granddaughters, Samantha Green of Summersville, MO and Maive White of Van Buren, MO; 6 great-grandchildren, Evie, Cash, Cailey, Whitley, Timberlee and Willow; one sister, Marjorie Wood of Boise City, OK as well as many nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
