Roy Tinnin Blythe

1950 - 2021

Roy Tinnin Blythe

February 23, 1950 - March 24, 2021

Roy Blythe's life was interrupted on March 24, 2021, at the age of 71, when he died from complications due to pancreatic cancer. The final journey of his remarkable life began in the Spring of 2019 when he was feeling ill. He was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas on May 3, 2019.

Roy's life was a well-planned orchestration of work and play, but mostly limitless work. If you knew him, you know this to be true. He was entrepreneurial, setting up his legacy to become a successful businessman at the age of seven. His first enterprise was a newspaper route which he shared with his brother, making ten cents per paper. He delivered tens of thousands of newspapers. He never stopped working after that, he never stopped looking forward. Hard work defined him for the next 64 years, until that day when his time was limited.

During the two years of his illness, Roy endured bravely and quietly. He was propped up by the support of friends, family, and the community he loved. He received notes from school children who were lucky enough to attend school in the buildings he helped design.

He passed peacefully at the HopeWest Care Center, designed by Blythe Group Architects. We found a photo of Roy and Pamela at the Hospice groundbreaking on April 7, 2007. Every Hospice nurse, chaplain, and staff that tended to him in his final days mentioned how they love the building they work in. He spent time on the patio of his room during the last days. From his bed, he had a view of the Mesa, Monument, the Bookcliffs, and Mt. Garfield. Birds sang and breezes blew. He was at peace.

Those he loved visited him; you brought him the foods he enjoyed, you sat with him and shared stories of his well-lived life. Always the mentor, his proteges sat with him during his illness and recalled the wise words he shared. He hoped you would follow in his footsteps, and you did. Success and happiness in Roy's life is evident in his abundant accomplishments as a father, teacher, friend, son, brother, and husband. He cherished all that everyone did to champion him in his final journey.

Roy was born in Del Rio, Texas, to Dell and Larry Blythe. His siblings were Mike (who also died of cancer), Tricia, and Judy. Roy attended the University of Illinois and ultimately passed his Board exam to become a registered professional Architect. He and his wife, Pamela, founded Blythe Group Architects in 1996 in Grand Junction after moving from Dallas, Texas. Roy was the architect for many important buildings in the community including City Hall, Hospice Care Center, Artful Cup, Justice Center, Sheriff's Office and Jail, Timberline Bank, City of Grand Junction Public Safety Building, several Fire Stations, and many of the Mesa County Valley School District 51 schools, to name only a few. He was well known for his skill in quality construction detailing and timeless building design. He was well respected by clients, employees, and industry professionals. Roy was the consummate Architect. His influence on the urban setting of Grand Junction is profound.

Roy and Pamela enjoyed off road Jeeping together, as well as architecture, gardening, and traveling.

Roy and Pamela had five children, Keely, Ryan, Ashley, Keller, and Nicole, as well as 11 grandchildren, Brittney, Reid, Luke, Carsen, Sadie, Tavis, Laycee, Hailey, Michael, Vail, and Maeley, and two great-grandsons, Kaiden, and Beau.

Roy was cared for by the remarkable staff at the HopeWest Care Center the last 14 days of his life.

Visitation will be at Martin Mortuary, March 31, 2021, from 10 - 11:30 a.m. Services will start at 11:30 a.m. the same day.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to School District 51 Foundation, the Roy & Pamela Blythe Endowment Fund or to HopeWest.

If you are unable to attend the service, a live streaming video of the event can be viewed on Martin Mortuary's FaceBook page at the time of service.