Ronald Earl Royster

Ronald E. “Ron” Royster transitioned peacefully from this life to his heavenly father, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, September 24, 2020, at the age of 84. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernie and Zelma, and his two younger brothers, David and Tom. Born on Tuesday, March 24, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan, Ron and his family lived for a short time in Tampa, Florida and El Paso, Texas before moving to Albuquerque in 1949. He attended Ernie Pyle Junior High and ABQ High School where he met the love of his life, Kay Gibson. During high school, Ron worked at the Highland Pharmacy, his father’s company, ABQ Floor and Wall, and Kay’s father’s company, Gibson Milling. The couple graduated in 1954 and married in 1955. Ron joined Mountain Bell in 1956 and enjoyed a successful 31-year career, retiring at 51 from U.S. West. Over the next 23 years, Ron and Kay traveled, visiting family, monuments, historic towns, cities, and appreciating the beauty of nature. Ron also worked part-time at Moon Optical, Bibles Plus, and Albertson’s Floral Dept. Throughout his adult life, Ron enjoyed dancing with Kay – often the dance floor clearing to watch and cheer them on; anything in the color red; singing in choirs and duets with Kay; camping and horseback riding; Lobo Basketball; floral arranging; drawing; decorating for special events and holidays; cheering for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren at baseball, soccer, and basketball games. Ron was known to quickly be a friend to almost anyone he met and for his love of serving others including AHS Alumni Association, Duke City Civitan Club, Telephone Pioneers, and his church. Ron is survived by his wife of 65 years, Kay; son, Randy and wife María Griego-Raby; son, Scott; grandchildren, Amber Royster and partner Andrea Quijada, Ashley Keilbarth and husband Richard, Amy Gonzalez and husband Victor, and Francisco Raby-Mondragón; great-grandchildren, Noah, Caleb, and Karen Keilbarth, and Lilliana and Emiliano Gonzalez; sisters-in-law, Sherry Royster and Betty Gibson; cousins, Blake Russell and Larry Royster; and many nieces and nephews. A Family Memorial took place on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at the Chester T. French Memorial Mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Park, followed by a celebration reception at the home of Randy and María. The family wishes to thank Presbyterian Hospital Emergency & ICU Depts., French Funerals and Cremations, and Sunset Memorial Park for their astounding support, compassion, & kindness. Memorial contributions may be made in Ron’s name to either ABQ Community Foundation, P.O. Box 25266, 87125-5266 or online at http://go.abqcf.org/donate or Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8600 Academy Rd. NE, 87111.