Dallas Joseph Roy, age 88 of Nederland, passed away Sunday, February 7, 2016. Born in Duson, LA, on January 10, 1928, number 13 of 14 children born to Volry & Ursule Richard Roy. He attended school and worked on a rice farm in Rayne, La until 1943, when he moved to Orange, TX. Dallas proudly served our country as a Corporal in the Army Air Corp, stationed on Guam during WWII.
Dallas returned to TX where he worked as a Millwright out of Local 2484. He retired with 50+ years and was well respected and greatly admired in his craft. During this time he married and had two children, Gale Osborne and Rickie Roy.
In 1986, Dallas married his wife Gloria Bourque, their love for each other and the Cajun culture proved to be a very strong bond.
Dallas was given a guitar at the age of 10, he taught himself to play. He began playing house dances in and around the Rayne area. This was the beginning of a music career that would span over 70 years. Dallas has been credited with popularizing Cajun music in Texas, played live weekly broadcasts on local radio, numerous dancehalls including BO Sparkle and the Rodair Club. He was a singer, songwriter and guitar player who recorded music on Crazy Cajun and Lanor recording labels.
He played the Texas Folklife Festival in San Antonio for many years, The Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC and the World’s Fair in New Orleans.
With Gloria by his side, Dallas promoted Cajun music and culture, hosting a weekly Cajun music radio program, and formed the Cajun French Music Association, Golden Triangle Chapter and served as President for 2 terms. Dallas has many awards bestowed on him for his musical accomplishments and in 2001, he was inducted into the Cajun Music Hall of Fame.
Dallas will always be known as a legendary Cajun musician. Many of us will also remember him as a wonderful husband, brother-in-law, father, grandfather, uncle and dear friend.
He was a strong man who did not let where he came from define him, but took where he came from and built an inspirational life that opened doors for other artists and made an amazing, happy, fulfilled life for himself.
Dallas is survived by his wife, Gloria Bourque Roy; his daughter, Gale Roy Osborne & husband Steve of Port Neches; a son Rickie Roy & wife Debbi of Driftwood; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Dallas is preceded in death by his parents; 5 brothers, Clovis, Joseph, Theo, Bernard and Lennis; 5 sisters, Bella Boulet, Isabel Simon, Bertha Dugas, Nightier Cloteaux, Gertie Hebert, 3 un-named siblings and a grandson, Christopher Roy.
The family would like to express sincere gratitude for the amazing care, love, support and comfort provided by Tasha, Diane, David and Elissa of New Century Hospice; as well as, the staff of Magnolia Manor.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Wednesday evening, February 10, 2016 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm at Melancon's Funeral Home in Nederland. The funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, February 11, 2016 also at the Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Nederland.