Herbert H. "Pete" Royse Jr.

NICHOLASVILLE - Herbert H. "Pete" Royse Jr, 68, beloved husband of Mary Sue Willis Royse, died Sat, May 16, 2009. He was a teacher, coach and administrator with the Jessamine County Schools for 43 years. He was born in Nicholasville, Jan 29, 1941, to the late Herbert H. Royse and Gertrude Conn Royse. He was a 1958 graduate of Nicholasville High School. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Master's Degrees from the University of Kentucky, a member of Theta chapter of Kappa Alpha Order and Phi Delta Kappa education fraternity. He was a life member of the U.K. Alumni Association. During his career, he served as President of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators, President of the Kentucky Association of School Business Officials and President of the Southeastern Association of School Business Officials. He served two years on staff with the Kentucky Department of Education. His civic activities included President of the Nicholasville Rotary Club, President of Lone Oak Country Club, President of the Jessamine County Retired Teacher Association and Treasurer of the Jessamine County Senior Citizen Center. He was one of the organizers of the Jessamine County Little League Baseball and Football programs. He was an avid UK sports fan, golfer and amateur radio operator, holding an "extra class" radio license. He was named "Honorable Mention" to the 1958 Courier Journal All-State Basketball Team. He was enlisted in the U. S. Navy. He was a member of Edgewood Baptist Church. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two loving sons, Mark J. Royse, Lexington and David T. Royse (Carolyn), Nicholasville; a grandson Benjamin C. Royse and two granddaughters, Mallorie and Paige Burton, Nicholasville; three sisters, Mrs. Betty Jo Pickett (Lloyd), Harrodsburg, Mrs. Gladys Harlow (Joe), Harrodsburg, and Mrs. Judie Cooper (Paul), Greensburg, Indiana. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Mrs. Evelyn G. Reynolds (Stuart), Mrs. Frances McDowell (John), a brother Gene C. Royse (Dolores) and a special nephew, Stuart Reynolds, Jr. He is survived by sixteen nieces and nephews. Services will be held at Betts and West Funeral Home at 1pm on Tue, May 19, with the Rev. Dr. Fred VanTatenhove conducting the Memorial Services. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Nicholasville. Nephews will be pallbearers. Honorary bearers will be Gary Combs, Don Cope, Bill Dickens, Harry Dodson, Howard Downing, Robert Elam, Carl B. Fisher, Ray Hager, Bob Hayes, Tom Mahanes, Joe David Martin, Shirley Smith, Carl Spivey, Alan Stivers, Jock Sutherland, Ruth Vahle, and Lu Young. Visitation will be from 4-9pm on Mon, May 18. Contributions may be made to Hospice of the Bluegrass. Online guestbook at www.bettsandwestfuneralhome.com