On Aug. 23, 2023, Roy L. Eddy died peacefully surrounded by family at home in Woodland after a short illness. Roy L. Eddy was born in July 1941 in Bell, California, to D.L. and Mary Eddy. He was raised in West Los Angeles where he lived with his mother, his sister Shirley Ann and his maternal grandmother Wesselman. It was Grandma Wesselman who instilled in Roy a passion for cooking.
As a boy, Roy was very active in school; he was elected to the student council several times and served as class president. He was in service clubs and played at a variety of sports including varsity track, football and basketball.
Roy took up the game of pool and became quite the player and played in the Prairie Tavern League where he earned the nickname "Fast Eddy." Throughout his adult life, he had a pool table in every home and enjoyed teaching and competing with others.
In his late 20s, Roy moved to Bellevue, Washington, to begin work in the construction trade and built a successful lifelong business. Roy met Jean (nee Thompson) through mutual friends. Roy and Jean married in her hometown of Wenatchee, Washington, in June 1968 and they recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.
Roy was father to two sons who he loved immensely; Christopher, born 1966 from a previous marriage, and Dustin, born 1971 to Jean and Roy
After settling in Bellevue, Roy had the opportunity to move to Vancouver, Washington, to work on the Mt. Hood Community College housing project. In the mid-70s, he started his custom residential home building business, Bridgeport Homes, building across Clark County.
Roy worked hard and played hard. Roy was Catholic, but he introduced many others into his other religion, fishing. Fishing took Roy on many adventures, to destinations such as Alaska, off Vancouver Island, Canada, and in the deep seas off the coast of Mexico. Later in life, he enjoyed fishing at the mouth of the Columbia River and was an adept guide along the rivers of southwestern Washington.
Roy and Jean made their final move to "the cabin" in Woodland, Washington, on the North Fork of the Lewis River in 1997. Later in life, stepping back from business, Roy continued to build homes on a selective basis. Roy returned to his early passion of cooking and smoking fish and meats. He remained well-read and was curious about the world.
Roy was easygoing and had a ready laugh. Roy could talk to anyone. Rather than the storyteller, Roy was often the subject of the story itself. He definitely got into a few pickles in his life, particularly with his cousin, Joey. Roy lived his life fully.
Roy is survived by his loving wife, Jean; his sons, Dustin and Christopher; two grandchildren, Alexa and Jake; his sister, Shirley Stringfellow, and her children; stepbrother, Jerry Eddy (Irma); sister-in-law, Gigi Craig (Mike); and a large loving extended family and circle of friends.
Please join us for a luncheon and celebration on the river for Roy's life from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 23, 2023, at the Leach’s, 40000 NW 64th Court in Woodland.
"The grief we feel is an indication of how much we loved him."
