Lieutenant Roy Earl Ator, USN Retired went to be with his wife in heaven on July 16, 2017. He was born to Dexter and LeRoy Ator on May 6, 1933 in Lipan, Texas. He was the youngest of 9 children, and out lived each of his 6 brothers and 2 sisters.

Roy Ator was a native of Palo Pinto County Texas, having grown up in the Lipan area and attended Lipan schools. He entered the U. S. Navy in December 1950 during the Korean War and retired 1973 after a lengthy and honorable service.

He married Margaret June Wade, an Army veteran, in Anacosta Maryland on July 14, 1956. They had a long and loving marriage of 56 years until her death on June 11th 2012.

Roy served aboard the USS McGowan DD-678, USS Southerland DDR-743, USS Everett PF-8, USS Saint Paul CA-73, USS Philippine Sea CV-47, USS Hancock CVA-19, and the USS Maloy EDE-791 prior to attending the Basic Enlisted Submarine School in 1960. Ator completed his submarine enlisted qualification in April 1961 aboard the USS Diodon SS-349 as a Firecontrol Technician first class (FT1). Ator then went through training on the Fleet Ballistic Missile Fire Control System and was an instructor at the USNGMS prior to making a deterrent patrol as FTCS (SS) aboard the USS Casimir Pulaski SSBN-633B. Ator having been promoted to Chief Ordnance Control Technician (W-1) was assigned to NOTU; PAFB doing DASO instrumentation on many US & UK FBMs. CWO Ator was selected for Limited Duty officer (LDO) and completed his submarine officer qualification in November 1970 while serving as the Chief Engineer and Diving Officer aboard the USS Tirante SS-420. Ator completed his active duty as the instrumentation officer for OTSU-2 aboard the USNS Range Sentinel T-AGM-22 out of Port Canaveral before retiring in 1973. He had the following military awards.

· Navy Achievement Medal with two gold stars,· Combat Action Ribbon for Korea (52 -53) ,· Navy Good Conduct Medal with two stars, · China Service Medal for Formosa Straits Patrol - 1952, · Navy Occupation Service Medal for Japan - early 1952, · National Defense Service Medal  with one star, · Korean Service Medal with two stars,· United Nations Service Medal,· Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal,· Korean Presidential Citation, · Korean War Service Medal, · Warfare Pins: Silver Dolphins, FBM Deterrent Patrol (1967) & Gold Dolphins

Following retirement from the USN, Roy graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from Tarleton State University (Class of ’77). He and his wife June were very active in several veteran organizations and believed strongly in giving back to their community.

He was preceded in death by his parents Dexter and LeRoy, brothers Dexter, Lloyd, Joe Tom, John Paul, Herbert, Donald, and sisters Ruth Followill and Dorothy Bates, his loving wife June, daughter Carrie Ann, and many, many life long friends.

Roy is survived by his children, son Richard Ator and wife Cheryl, son Ronald Ator, daughter Robin Greer and husband Alan all of Lipan. 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, and his service dog Rocky.

Roy will be laid to rest with full military honors on Sunday, August 20, 2017 at 8:30 am at Evergreen Cemetery in Lipan, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family request that a donation be made in his honor to the VFW National Home for Children 3573 S Waverly Rd, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827