Jimmy Darrial Royal passed away April 14, 2024.
Jim was born on June 3, 1944, in Hollis, OK to Alice Dyess and Darrial Royal. He graduated from Tehachapi High School in CA in 1962, and proudly served his country in the US Air Force from 1962 to 1966. Upon returning from the service, Jim operated a café for a few years with his mother in Lubbock, TX.
In 1971, Jim married Francis Kudlac, and built a life in Shawnee, Oklahoma, where they resided for over 50 years. Jim started his own business, but returned to Tinker AFB.
Upon retirement, he pursued hobbies including travel, raising chickens and fitness. After only a year of retirement, he started working the Front Desk at Saint Gregory’s Mabee Aerobics Center. He enjoyed his time at Saint Gregory’s and eventually began teaching weight lifting class. What was intended as a short “retirement” part-time job, lasted ten years at which he made many friends. After several years of helping his wife through some health issues, Jim and Francis moved to Texas to be closer to their children and grandchildren where he once again enjoyed gardening and exercising.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Francis (Kudlac) Royal; their son, Clayton (Pamela) Royal, and daughter, Patricia (Steven) Evans, grandsons: Oliver, Miles and Andrew.
He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Howard Storie.
Services were held April 22, 2024 at the Walker Funeral Service Chapel, 201 E 45th St, Shawnee, OK. Interment followed at the Dallas–Fort Worth National Cemetery for Veterans in Dallas, TX.
