Eric Melvin Roy

“The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.” Mark Twain

Eric Melvin Roy was called home by His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on May 4, 2017. He was born in the city of New Orleans on March 27, 1964.

He graduated from West Jefferson High School in Harvey, La in 1982. He would become the first African-American Valedictorian of West Jefferson High School. He attended Tulane University on a full scholarship and graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1986.

Eric spent over 29 years working in the chemical manufacturing industry as a chemical process engineer. In 1994, he would accept a position with Westlake Petrochem where he worked for 20 years as a Principal Process Engineer. Eric loved working for Westlake with a passion. He loved the people he worked with, and it gave him the opportunity to challenge himself. Eric had a meticulous work ethic.   He had a special gift when it came to make cost improvements, designing equipment, and troubleshooting. He mentored many new engineers happily.

He believed in the value of education. This was instilled in him by his mother, Marion Harrang Roy, who was a school teacher for over 32 years. Eric was known as the family “Math Wiz.” He was always available for his kids, family, and friends if anyone needed a little help with their math. He also advocated for education for his fellow coworkers at Westlake.

Eric enjoyed life. He loved reading the Bible, listening to music, watching movies, traveling, as well as spending time with his family. He was an active member of United Christian Fellowship Church, the United Way, and Bible Study Fellowship. He was an active contributor to the Lake Charles Women’s Shelter, Regular Baptist Church Scholarship Foundation, and Abraham’s Tent.

Eric was a wonderful father, husband, friend, and coworker. Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 25 years, Pamela, sons Gabriel and Isaiah, and daughter Megan Roy. He also leaves behind a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and family that Eric often referred to as his New Orleans people. Eric moved to Lake Charles not knowing a soul except for his wife’s family, but left this world surrounded by the love of a host of newly acquired brothers and sisters, friends, and coworkers at his side every step of his courageous journey. He touched the lives of many. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marion Harrang and Clarence J. Roy.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, May 12, 2017 from 5-8pm at Johnson Funeral Home with a rosary at 8pm. Pastor Ronald L. Mayo will officiate the Funeral Service being held at United Christian Fellowship Church on May 13, 2017 at 10am. Visitation will be from 8-10am at UCF. Interment will follow at Consolata Cemetery.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Doctors Carolyn Hutchinson, Leroy Fredericks, Tony Leung, Frank Marrero, Manley Jordan, and the Pulmonary Associates of Southwest Louisiana; also Doctors Tapan Mahendra Kadia, Rachna Schroff, and Alexis Geppner PA of MD Anderson for their care. They would also like to especially thank Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for their loving care provided, and the many wonderful people in Eric’s life including family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers who kept Eric and his family in their prayers during his illness.