Roy Comer

1930 - 2015

Roy Lee Comer passed away on November 4, 2015 after 85 years of life well lived. He was the husband for 55 years to the love of his life, Joan Lee Comer, who died on August 24, 2011.

Roy was born on August 24, 1930 in Shenandoah, Virginia. He was the son of the late Floyd D. and Ruth A. Ferrell Comer.

He graduated from Ridgely High School in 1949. Roy was his senior class president and played football and basketball.

He briefly entered Shepherd College in the fall of 1950 and left to enlist in the United States Air Force. He was trained as a radio operator and was a member of a B29 crew flying with the 340th Bomb Squadron. After training in the United States, he was first sent to Japan where he was part of the crew that flew 28 combat missions over North Korea. He subsequently flew reconnaissance missions which originated in England. He was honorably discharged in 1955.

Roy returned to Shepherd College and graduated in 1958 with a B.S. in Education. While attending Shepherd he was a member of the basketball and football teams. This included the undefeated football team of 1955. He was also a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.

He then began a lengthy and successful teaching and coaching career. His first job took him to Chestertown High School from 1958-1961. There he taught physical education and coached baseball, basketball and soccer. His 1961 basketball team went undefeated Then from 1961-1964 he taught and coached at Martinsburg High School in West Virginia. He taught biology and American history. He coached the football, basketball and baseball teams. His basketball teams were Tri-State Champions two out of his three years at the helm. Next he was employed at Frederick High School from 1964-1967. Roy taught biology and physical education. He was the head football and assistant basketball coach. He led the Cadet's powerhouse football teams of the mid-sixties to two Tri-State Championships in three years/

Roy was them promoted to Supervisor of Physical Education and Athletics for Frederick County Public Schools in 1967. He earned a Masters of Education degree from Western Maryland College in 1970.

One of his proudest accomplishments was the role he played in creating Maryland's first high school football tournament. Roy worked closely with high school coaches and the staff and administration at the University of Maryland to organize and orchestrate the Maryland High School Football Tournament which was initially held at Byrd Stadium. He served as State Football Chairman for fourteen years.

Roy was inducted into the Maryland State Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Maryland Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Roy also served the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association as president and treasurer. He was past president of the Maryland Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Roy represented Maryland at the National Federation of State Associations/Football. He was also active in many community athletics. He served as president of the Frederick Babe Ruth and was a local football official.

With a reputation of dedication and integrity and a constant goal of excellence in education and athletics, Roy retired in 1990 after a thirty-two year career. The students and players whose lives he has touched as well as his professional and community relationships with his peers, with parents and officials are his legacy.

Roy was a life-long, dyed-in-the-wool sports enthusiast. He also greatly enjoyed his time spent at the beach on Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. He enjoyed fishing. He loved doing yard work and tending to his roses. He mostly treasured the time he spent with his wife and family.

He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the V.F.W., the Elks, the American Legion and the Jefferson Ruritan.

Roy is survived by one son Jeff Comer and wife Meg, daughter Jill Dahlgren and husband Bob and daughter Joy Comer. He leaves eight grandsons who he called "his pride and joy." They are Clay Comer, Roy Comer, Brent Comer, Connor Stemple, Quinn Stemple, Heath Dahlgren, Vincent Kennedy and Zachary Kennedy. Roy is survived by eight nieces and nephews. He also leaves his faithful dog Teddy.

The family would like to sincerely thank the dedicated staff at Tranquility Assisted Living for taking such loving care of Roy and Teddy over the past two years.

The family will receive friends from 3-5 and 7-9pm on Monday, November 9, 2015 at the Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick. The funeral service will be held at 11am on Tuesday, November 10th at Evangelical Lutheran Church, 35 E. Church Street, Frederick. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.keeneybasford.com