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Roy Styron Douthit

roy douthit

Roy Styron Douthit took his last step, his last sip of Pernod, watched his last University of Oklahoma football game and beating Texas, said his last goodbye to the few remaining friends of many decades, and to his family. Nearly 90 he entered into the Kingdom of Heaven on October 14, 2020 to be with all the saints he knew so well in the Kingdom of this World.

His family, friends, and neighbors will miss him. Anyone who met him remembers at least his unusual name, Styron (pronounced like Byron), his mother's maiden name. You would also remember his engaging conversation. He always wanted to know more about you, to find something he could relate to, something in common at a first meeting, something to allow a personal connection for the next time you met. He always expected to meet you again, and he would remember you. The conversation would pick-up where you had left off.

Born in Oklahoma City on December 23, 1930, he grew up in the rural countryside towns of Caddo, Roosevelt and Konawa at the start of the Great Depression. He grew up less poor than others, in the middle class of the time. His father Roy Douthit, a pharmacist and in the dry goods business with his father-in-law James Styron, when filling prescriptions couldn't feed a family. His mother Helen Douthit was a teacher, one of those solid professions that helped support the family. His fondest memories of the time were being in the company of people in the community, working at the dry goods store with his father, his parents' bridge night, listening to records of classical music at his music teacher's house, hanging out at the soda fountain at his father's pharmacy. He saw how people coped with the misery of the times by sharing, hospitality, and enjoying simple pleasures of one another s company and conversation.

He attended OU in Norman. He lived most of his adult life in Oklahoma City before retiring and returning home to Konawa to care for his mother, work on a Masters degree in history, volunteer at the 45th Infantry Division Museum in Oklahoma City, the local VFW post, and read. His favorite subject was military history. Deep down he wanted to be a soldier, like his Uncle, General James Styron. But realized he didn't have the gifts and talents to become one as a career. He admired the traits he thought made a good one: disciplined, executing orders, being organized, strategic, and prepared, leadership, and attention to detail. These he was not. If not a soldier, what then would be his work?

The parts of his life he most cherished were living elsewhere. Going to boarding school at Kemper Military Academy in Booneville, MO. Commissioned as a second lieutenant he serviced in Korea. With a Masters in Geology from OU, he went to Dhofar for 3 years and drilled 27 dry wells for Cities Service Oil Company. On leave he traveled the world. The favorite places he often returned were Paris and Chamonix.

He moved to Arlington, Virginia in 2006, to be with his son Paul Douthit and two grandchildren Samuel and Grace, and volunteer at the Smithsonian’ Museum of American History and Museum of the American Indian. He returned only for visits to see his surviving sister Helen Duckett, three nieces, a nephew, and the few friends still living there.

As his son, I now appreciate his warm and genuine gift of conversation and connecting with people. He could tell stories about his adventures as a young man. He could recite the family genealogy. He could remember with clarity and detail moments in his life, especially ones that brought him the most joy. Those involved family or friends, an interesting location, some wine or a cocktail, a meal or a fun activity. Everyone he meet became his friend. Many endured for decades whom I got to know through the stories he told.

I don't think he ever realized his vocation in life or his true strengths. What I do know is…

He was kind and genuine.

He was able to forgive

He loved others

He was honest and trusting

He was loyal to his family, friends, and country

He knew who he wasn't and accepted the consequences

He seldom worried or was anxious

He lived a simple carefree life

He had no enemies

 

When looking back on his life, he will be remember most by these traits of good work and not others kinds of work. Welcome happy morning, Dad.

Gifts in lieu of flowers on behalf of Styron may be made to oufoundation.org or VOICE-IAF.org

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  1. My uncle was a true blessing. His smile and humor always put me into a good mood. His jokes and comments were always meant to tease and to help us laugh at ourselves in a most kind way. I will never forget his smile, his optimism, his love and devotion to his son and grandkids. 
    The life stories he told widened my perspective of the world and challenged me to experience foreign countries and new experiences with a sense of adventure and excitement. 
    His devotion to my mother and their relationship helped each of them as they got older. Mom went out to Virginia to see Styron during October over the last few years and they spent about 5 days together laughing and sharing. He was so proud of Sissy ( Helen Duckett) that he would parade her around all the different dinner tables at Culpepper so everyone could meet her. All his table mates and friends knew all about Sissy and her kindnesses.
    I will miss Uncle Styron; his laugh and sense of humor. His loyalty to family will live on in his legacy! God bless his family and friends!    

  2. A very beautiful reflection.  I’m proud to have met him and take joy in his ascent to the heavenly kingdom.  My deepest condolences and prayers.  Peace be with you and your entire family. 

  3. I could scarcely believe my eyes when I saw Styron’s obituary in the WashPost.  We were KAs together at OU.  He was the #1 (President) of the chapter, and a fine person.  I had not seen or heard of him since then.  Perhaps Helen will remember me, as I do her.  God bless all.

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