Ruth LeClere Roy

Ruth LeClere Roy, of Houston, passed away on Friday May 27th 2011 at the age of 92. Born Sept. 8, 1918 in Logan County, Ark. to A. C. Parker and Victoria Golden Parker she is survived by her two daughters Fran LeClere, Celia “Cricket” Stastny, son Lauryn P. LeClere Jr., seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Daughter, Lynn Bradley passed away in 2006. Ruth grew up in Hot Springs, Arkansas and moved to Houston in the mid 30s where she married Lauryn P. LeClere Sr. in 1940. Three daughters later the new family bought a 42 acre ranch in the Texas hill country where Lauryn Jr. was born. These times at the flagstone ranch house outside Kerrville were some of her greatest memories. After the passing of Lauryn Sr., Ruth moved back to Houston where she sold real estate, refined her artistic talents and raised her children. She married Bob Roy in the early 60s who introduced the family to surfing, and together they created a new business - Locked In Surf Shop. Ruth and Bob imported thousands of surfboards from the West Coast during the height of the surfing craze. She gave a live surf report on FM radio for years and designed bikinis, baggies, jackets and windbreakers, setting a style for the early Gulf Coast surfing culture. “Mrs. Roy” became an iconic figure on the Texas surf scene. Her positive and encouraging demeanor was embraced by Houston teens in the late 60s – early 70s, and on weekends kids could find themselves surfing along side her off Galveston beaches. In the 70s, the surf shop became Locked In Sports incorporating snow ski and scuba gear. Ruth became a certified diver and an avid skier (now in her mid 50s). The shop collaborated with Space City Ski Club on many adventures to Colorado, Utah and Europe. She also organized dive trips to Cozumel and Belize. Ruth was always active in the Church and continued her world travels visiting the Holy Land, Egypt, and Hong Kong. Now, as if surfing, skiing, scuba diving, and traveling the world were not enough, Ruth had to try her hand at acting. She joined Chris Wilson at The Actors Studio in Houston and soon crafted her skills on the stage landing rolls like the grandmother in “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds” and five completely different characters in “The Women”. She also designed and made many costumes for the theater. An incredible seamstress, she could make anything, from handbags to draperies to leather jackets. Above and beyond her creative talents and athletic abilities, Ruth was a radiant soul. Her contagious smile was irresistible; her interest in people and ability to encourage and inspire confidence was genuine. She was always enthusiastic about life and its possibilities. A loving mother to her children and a trustworthy friend to all who knew her, Ruth was a beautiful compassionate and caring woman, and we will all miss her greatly. A memorial service and celebration of Ruth’s long and vibrant life will be held on Saturday, June 18, at 11:00 A.M. at the West Houston Christian Center, 11300 Wilcrest Green Dr. Houston, TX 77042. Burial to follow at the Confederate Cemetery in Alvin.

Ruth LeClere Roy

September 8, 1918 - May 27, 2011