Roy Allan Eddins' Obituary
Eddins, Roy Allan In Loving Memory Roy Allan Eddins was born October 20, 1926 in Memphis, Tennessee to Lena Jarrard Eddins and Thomas W. Eddins. Roy had two brothers, Lewis and Lynn, and one sister, Donna, all of whom survived him. He went to be with the Lord on September 15, 2009. Roy passed away in Dallas, Texas after a brief illness. Roy was training to be a pilot in the U. S. Air Force when World War II ended. In 1945 he married his high school sweetheart, Frances Sorce. They were married 36 years and had two daughters, Sherry Lynn Noack and Paula Diane Watson, and one son, Mark Allan Eddins. Frances preceded Roy in death. Roy began work for Chuck Hutton in 1946 in the parts department of Chuck Hutton Dodge in Memphis, Tennessee. Roy progressed under the direction of his mentor, “Mr. Chuck”, until 1958 when he was given the opportunity to relocate to Dallas to run Hutton-Eddins Dodge. During Roy’s many years with Chuck Hutton Dodge, one of his most memorable events was selling an automobile to Elvis, for his drummer. One of Roy’s early accomplishments was turning the Dodge dealership in Dallas into a successful business and becoming the only profitable Dodge dealership in the region until the 70’s. In the summer of 1970 Roy had the opportunity to purchase Friendly Chevrolet, and with the help of his contemporary, Tom Hutton, son of “Mr. Chuck”, Roy and Tom purchased the dealership on October 1, 1970. Roy worked long and hard, with the assistance of his wife Frances, to make the dealership an outstanding business in Dallas. Roy was appointed to numerous boards and councils throughout his automotive career within the Chevrolet Motor division, GMAC and General Motors. Roy was recognized as a “Key Dealer”. Friendly Chevrolet became a landmark in Dallas. Roy received many awards and much recognition for his outstanding abilities as an automobile dealer. In the 1960’s Roy also became one of the earliest recreational vehicle dealers in the United States. He was an avid investor in real estate. Roy was a man’s man. He had a great business sense. He had a true entrepreneurial gift. He enjoyed the thrill of the deal and was indeed, a self-made man. Roy was responsible for mentoring many young associates in successful business endeavors. Roy never met a stranger. He was highly respected among his peers and recognized as always having a very giving spirit. People loved being around Roy. Everyone left a meeting with Roy feeling better! His optimism and charisma were contagious. He brought much joy to his friends and family. Roy loved his ranch in Clifton, Texas, and spent much time there in the past several years. He enjoyed having friends and family with him hunting and fishing. This past year he was honored in San Antonio for having one of the largest white-tail deer shot on his ranch. Roy was also an avid pilot in his younger years. He took great pride in establishing Friendly Aviation, a charter and sales operation at Addison Airport. He donated the use of his planes and pilots, including himself, to transport ailing, disabled children throughout the country. His generosity touched the lives of many strangers, friends and family throughout the years. Roy is survived by his two brothers, a sister and their spouses. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Charles Noack, Tracy Watson and Jalane Eddins, Grandchildren, Julie Sigman and spouse, Spicer, of Hondo, Texas, Alan Magill and his spouse, Kristin, of Flower Mound, Texas, Josh Watson of Dallas, Texas, Jeffrey Watson, of San Antonio, Texas, Rachel and Mitchell Eddins of Dallas, great-grandchildren Piper and Spicer, of Hondo, Texas, and Brady and Nick of Flower Mound. Roy will be missed by many life-long loved ones and friends. He will also be dearly missed by his ex-wife Mildred Eddins and her children, Vicki Ferreira, and her spouse, Fred; Mike King, and Gerald Frye, as well as their children and grandchildren. Special thanks go out to those who helped care for Roy during his final weeks, especially his life long friend, Bud Smith. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Texas Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, Dallas, Texas. (TSRHC.org) Visitation will be Friday, September 18, 2009 from 6-8:00 p.m at Restland Funeral Home at 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75243. Funeral services will be Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. at Restland in the Memorial Chapel. The family will welcome friends and family members at 3844 Weeburn, Dallas, following the graveside service.
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