John Edward Royal was born January 9, 1939, in Ardmore to John and Lula (Lee) Royal and passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at Mercy Hospital South in Oklahoma City, at the age of 82 years, 2 months and 28 days.

John was raised and attended school in Hinton and Hydro and graduated from Hydro High School in 1958.  On May 29, 1958, he married Murita Goodpasture in Wheeler, Texas and made their home in El Reno where he worked for the Rock Island Railroad.  John and Murita moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1960 where he worked for Boeing Aircraft.  They moved to Seattle where he continued to work with Boeing between Seattle and Wichita locations.  In 1970, they moved to Hydro where he ran The Bobcat Grill with his sister and then ran the Texaco Gas Station.  He worked for Big W Dozer and later was a car salesman in Oklahoma City and Weatherford, finishing his career at Zoeller-Davidson/York Ford dealerships for 16 years.  John enjoyed bowling, playing Rook and spending time with family and friends.  Memorials may be made to the Hydro First Responders or to First Baptist Church in Hydro.

John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Murita Royal of their home in Weatherford; one son, Rick Royal and wife, Michele of Oklahoma City; two daughters, Brenda Williams and husband, Kenny of Altus and Kandie King and husband, Danny of Weatherford; one brother, Duane Royal and wife, Margie of Atlanta, Georgia; two daughters-in-law, Janet Royal of Weatherford and Tara Royal of Miami, Texas; nineteen grandchildren; and forty great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, James and Herbert; one sister, Mattie Lea; and two sons, Steve and Richard.