Roy A. Oxendale

Roy A. Oxendale passed away at his Cottonwood home on Monday, September 15, 2008 at the age of 83. Roy was the son of Roy and Mabel (Collins) Oxendale. He was born June 5, 1925 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in Effie and graduated from Bigfork High School. He then received his college degree from the Minneapolis School of Business. During his youth, Roy received the honor of achieving his Eagle Scout; he was offered a contract to pitch for the Boston Red Sox; and he served his country with the United States Marines as an NCO during WWII in Iwo Jima. Professionally, he worked as a car dealer for Chevrolet in 1945 and worked his way up to owner and operator of three successful Pontiac Dealerships in Minnesota. Upon moving to the Verde Valley he became well known throughout the community as owner and operator of Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep in Cottonwood; a career he would dedicate 29 years to. Roy has been an active church member throughout his life, serving in many leadership capacities, including finance and stewardship committees, Deacon, and Sunday School teacher, as well as singing in church choirs. Since moving to Cottonwood, he has been a member of the Verde Baptist Church and sang with the Golden Boys. Roy has quietly donated to many worthy organizations over the years. Roy also enjoyed golf, baseball, basketball, singing in Barbershop Quartets, and of course, numerous entrepreneurial endeavors. He is survived by his sons, Tom Oxendale with his wife, Pam of Cottonwood, and Rob Oxendale with his wife, Denise of Peoria; two daughters, Mary Sievert with her husband, Scott of Chandler, and Jane Strong with her husband, Craig of Prescott Valley; three step-children, Billy Ash with his wife, Carmen of Clarkdale, Lewis Ash with his wife, Beth of Powell, Ohio, and Ronnie Ash with his wife, Millie of Phoenix; as well as 16 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Roy was married 21 years to Lois Oxendale, who died in 1968, and later was married 29 years to Corky Oxendale, who died in 2007. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Verde Baptist Church, 102 S. Willard, Cottonwood, AZ 86326. On Monday, September 22, 2008 Roy will be interred at the Mountain View Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made out to "Rainbow Acres", and given to one of the family members. Or, send to T. Oxendale, P.O. Box 1545, Cottonwood, AZ 86326. (Roy gave regularly to Rainbow Acres, an organization for adults with developmental disabilities.) An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com