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Royal Lua Obituary
March 2, 1923 - June 10, 2016
Aptos
Age 93 of Aptos, CA passed away on June 10, 2016. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years Doris; brothers Ray, Bruce and Jack; and sisters Marjorie, Lucille, Lee, Dorothy, and Muriel. Roy is survived by his wife of 15 years Sandra; brother Ad; three step-sons Matt, Michael, and Kenneth; and two sons Mark and Blake.
Roy was born 2 March 1923 and grew up during the depression in San Jose, CA. He entered WWII pilot training at age 18 and eventually served as a C-47 pilot, dropping paratroopers in the Battle of the Bulge with the 316th Troop Carrier Group. After the war, he went back to college and graduated with a B.S. from San Jose State University, but was called back in the Air Force for the Korean conflict. He ultimately stayed 30 years in the Air Force, serving as an Adjutant in France; ROTC instructor at Ohio State; managed ICBM silo loads at Malmstrom AFB, MT; helped develop the first Air Force computerized personnel system at Andrews AFB, MD; and finished as Chief of the Personnel Office, Kirtland AFB, NM. He retired as a Lt Col in 1972 and moved back to the Santa Cruz/Aptos CA area. In retirement he regularly played golf at the Valley Gardens golf course in Scotts Valley, serving several times as president of the men's club. He also faithfully took care of his first wife Doris in their home for the five years she had Alzheimer's disease. After Doris passed away, he married Sandra in 2001 and enjoyed spending time with step-son Matt, wife Amy, and granddaughter Sophie.
Roy was a member of the Scandinavian Cultural Center of Santa Cruz; the German-American Club; the Military Officer's Association of America (MOAA); and the Pilot Classes of WWII Association.
Roy will be laid to rest with full military honors at the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery, Fort Ord when they open in the fall 2016, as a charter member of truly the "greatest generation". Details will be forthcoming.
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Todd Lua
September 26, 2016
Rest in Peace Uncle Roy
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