Roy Alan Box

1935 - 2026

Roy Alan Box was born February 2, 1935 in Wallace, Idaho to Ralph Box and Bessie (Thompson)
Box, and grew up in Wallace and Chehalis, Washington.

Roy first came to the territory of Alaska in 1955, when he worked as a logger on Prince of Wales
Island. Roy graduated from the College of Optometry at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon in
June of 1960 with a Doctor of Optometry degree. When he learned of an Optometrist job in Juneau,
he jumped at the chance to return to Alaska. Roy first worked with Dr. Clancy Meyer, who sold his
practice to Roy and Gilbert Kemp in 1961. Roy and Gil owned Juneau Optometrists in the Foodland
Shopping Center together until Roy opened his solo practice, Eyewear Center Southeast, in the
valley in 1980. Roy was a member of both the Alaska and American Optometric Associations, and
was named Optometrist of the Year by the Alaska Optometric Association in 1972. Roy enjoyed
helping and getting to know his patients, and said of his practice, "I can't remember a day I didn't
want to go to work. It's work, but it's been fun."

Roy met his future wife and the love of his life, Carol, on the very first day she landed in Juneau in
1961. Roy and Carol were married in LaGrande, Oregon in 1963.

Roy loved Alaska and serving his community. Roy was a firefighter from 1961 to 1976 with the JFD.
Roy played clarinet with the Juneau Symphony from 1962 until sometime in the 80's. Roy and Carol
were members of the Juneau Gun Club for about 20 years, and the Juneau Ski Club while their son
Steve was ski racing. Roy was a member of the Juneau School Board from 1971-74, serving as
president 1972-73. Roy's Recipe Box, a local recipe column in the Info Juneau, published over 30 of
Roy's recipes between 1978 and 1981. Roy was a member of the Glacier Valley Rotary Club from
the early 80's until he retired in March of 1999, and he chaired the Riverside Rotary Park Committee,
which dedicated the park in May 1990.

Upon his retirement Roy was honored by the Alaska Legislature with a proclamation dated May 4,
1999 for 38 years of service to the community of Juneau.

Roy passed away January 19th , 2026 in Union, Oregon. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife
of 62 years, Carol Box, his daughter Sheila Box, his son Steve Box and his wife Molly, and his two
grandchildren, Corey Box and Nikki Box, as well as several nieces and nephews.
For a full-length Obituary with more detailed Juneau history and stories about Roy, visit
www.juneauindependent.com/obituaries