Roy A. Jung

Roy A. Jung, 80, passed away on August 7, 2023. He was an Army National Guard veteran who proudly served his country. Roy was a born-again Christian. Jesus is his Lord. Roy was an example of David's words in Psalm 139, which says, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Roy had a very giving spirit. He loved to give gifts to family, friends, and acquaintances, often beyond measure! He loved the element of surprise.

He was born June 30, 1943, at St. Edward's Hospital in New Albany, Indiana, to the late William and Gertrude (Maulden) Jung. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Lula Annette (Jung) Becht. Roy gave Lula her middle name.

Roy is survived by his loving son, David, and grandson, Kyle, as well as his sisters Lana Detrick (Tim) Floyds Knobs, Ind., Debra McGovern (Jim) Louisville, Ky., Sonya Pfeifer (Mike) Charlotte, NC, and Laura Schumacher (Robin) Prospect, Ky., many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, and friends.

After graduating from New Albany High School in 1961, Roy began his working career and retired from General Electric Appliance Park, where he supervised in the appliance paint department.

He met the love of his life, Patricia Boyd, and married. He and his small family settled on his maternal grandparents' property in Georgetown, in an underground house that Roy designed and built. He helped care for his grandmother.

Early in his life, Roy dreamed about homesteading in Alaska, where he would have been able to gold prospect. He and Pat loved to travel, explore, and camp. They outfitted the "Silver Twinkie", an Airstream. Roy gathered all the equipment for gold prospecting, fishing, and hunting; Pat, an excellent cook, outfitted the kitchen and gathered living essentials. They made a few trips, but both had health issues that got in the way of a deep dive into a renewed dream.

Roy had so many dreams and interests. At age 6, he wanted to go to the moon. Mom told him no one could do that. He was always tinkering and built his first motorbike. That triggered his interest in motorcycles. His dad taught him to hunt. His grandpa taught him gardening and he plowed and planted his first watermelon patch at age 14. His family moved from Georgetown to briefly live in New Albany. When they returned to Georgetown, he continued at New Albany High School for advanced shop classes. He worked with wood. Roy took up archery, won many recognitions and awards, and became the Indiana State Champion in a compound bow competition. He trained and hunted with bird dogs, raised rabbits, and researched and planted huge organic gardens. He liked bluegrass music, so he took lessons and began playing the banjo and guitar. Roy was very patriotic. He knew our country's founding history, often gave visitors a history lesson, and was proud to be an American.

While bass fishing became his final passion, Roy found the intricate refinement of bait-casting reels a passion, too. He repaired and rebuilt new reels of all makes and models to a more pristine condition and finer precision than any angler could dream. He selected the perfect rod for the reels. Roy built what he called an "arsenal" of bass fishing equipment and supplies over many years for tournament fishing. When his health declined, and he eventually moved to assisted living, he prayed that a family member would be interested in bass fishing, finally gifting that arsenal to him. While in his new home, Roy began building a bait-casting, finesse fishing arsenal for his son, David. He announced that he had completed that collection shortly before he died.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (3309 Ballard Lane, New Albany, Indiana 47150), with service to follow at noon led by his cousin, who is like our brother, Rev. Sherman Beville.

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