- Date Of Birth: June 21, 1952
- Date Of Death: May 2, 2022
- State: Colorado
On June 21, 1952 in Artesia, New Mexico, Royce Lane Grissom stepped up to the first tee box with a smile on his face and a driver in his hand and on May 2, 2022 he dropped a 30-foot double-break putt for eagle and headed to the Great Clubhouse in the sky.
Royce was the third member of a foursome coached by Herman and Mardee Grissom which already included brothers Larry and Don and a few years later would see Chip added to round out the team. As Royce readied for 8th grade the family moved from Artesia to Bovina, TX. Here he would encounter that special lady who would become his caddy and partner for the rest of his life.
While in high school Royce played on the baseball team as well as playing drums in marching and concert band.
After graduating from Bovina High School Royce attended South Plains Junior College (now South Plains College) and West Texas State College (now West Texas A&M University). On April 1, 1972 (a date chosen so that Royce would have no trouble remembering his anniversary), Royce married his life-partner, Karen Ann Bell, in Bovina.
Royce appreciated many things in life; a well-struck drive and a well-read green; a medium-rare steak and a quality whiskey; a shaded campsite with a morning cup of coffee; a fly rod in his hand and a mountain stream teeming with trout. But most important to him, and this is 100% true and not a platitude, were his wife and children, God, and the United States of America. All of these nurtured and shaped him and created the man we celebrate.
Royce was preceded in death by his parents and eldest brother Larry. He is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Caprice and son Denver Cody, grandson Shandon, and brothers Don and Chip.
