Roy Emery Colver

Roy Emery Colver passed away June 1, 2023, after a six-year struggle with cancer.

He is survived by his loving wife, Gina Marie Adams Colver, and their three children Lillian B. Diediker, Roy Kenneth and Rose Vera. He is also survived by his mother and father Roy Dean and Patricia Ann Colver and nine siblings and their spouses: Arthur Dean (Suzy), Forest Allan (Teren), Justin Lane (Nina), Jessica Ann Morris (Jeff), Tadd Nathaniel (Carol), Andrew Ross (Paweena), Monty Alexander (Erica), Preston Samuel (Michelle) and Mitchell Cameron. He was a beloved uncle to 61 nieces and nephews, and even two great-nieces and nephews. He was loved by all his in-laws and friends. Roy was an easy person to love.

Roy entered this world in January of 1972 on a frigid day in Minneapolis, Minn. He was the namesake of his grandfather and throughout his life, he exemplified the same dignified demeanor and noble qualities that his grandfather was known for. Even in his early years “Roy Boy” displayed an exceptional inclination for honesty and integrity. He excelled in school and had a true appetite for increasing knowledge and wisdom. He enjoyed reading, playing games with his family, and he became an accordion virtuoso while in adolescence. In 1990, he graduated from West Jordan High School in the Salt Lake Valley of Utah. In April 1991, he served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Florida Tallahassee mission. He had a deep love for music and was the president of the concert choir while attending BYU-Hawaii with an undergraduate study in computer science. He went on to receive a master’s degree in music-choral conducting from Northern Arizona University. Roy found his calling in teaching children. He spent the early part of his career teaching music at Sue Morrow Elementary School in Henderson, Nev. He was truly “at home” when directing and teaching children music. He became proficient on many instruments including the piano, percussion instruments and recorders. He enjoyed the time spent playing in a recorder band with his friends in Las Vegas. He also sang in many choirs and quartets that took him to concerts all over the world. His years before he married were filled with many travel locations, in Europe and in the Pacific Islands as well as visiting family in Taiwan, Thailand and South Korea and teaching English in China. Roy’s favorite hobby was playing board games. He especially enjoyed time spent playing them with his friends and family.

In 2012, Roy met Gina Adams and they were married and sealed in the Columbia River Temple the same year. In his own words, Roy said, “Gina and I were made for each other.” Gina and Lily, her 6-year-old daughter, upgraded his nickname from “Roy Boy” to “Roy Joy” as his beautiful, gentle soul filled their lives with happiness. Roy moved to be with Gina and Lily and continued teaching at Park Orchard Elementary in Moses Lake, Wash. His concerts were spectacular, and he often would have Gina accompany them on the piano. Gina and Roy loved sharing music together. They enjoyed spending time together preparing and performing piano duets for Christmas in their Church. Within a year Gina gave birth to Roy Kenneth Colver, their son “Kenny.” Not long afterward, Rose was born and joined her siblings. At this time Roy changed careers and went to work for Willow Drive Nursery, putting his computer science degree to work. He learned a lot about agriculture, intellectual property and owning a business.

Shortly after he would be diagnosed with cancer. He spent the next six years making the most of every moment with his family. Even when he was sick he would often play Barbies with Rose and board games with Kenny, and support Lily by attending all of her theater, dance and music concerts. They were such a happy family. Home was truly heaven on earth and Roy fought as hard as he could to stay and be a husband and father. Weekly family nights and daily family time with scriptures and prayer together to close out the day filled his heart with so much happiness. Roy and Gina grew even closer as they came to rely more and more heavily on each other. Roy would often ask his wife “How can I serve you today?” even when he had hardly anything left to give. He was a true warrior and hero to his adoring family.

Roy was an example of honesty, goodness, and generosity. He was loved by everyone and those closest to him were privileged to enjoy his directness and special sense of humor. Roy didn’t know how to beat around the bush. Perhaps most of all, though, Roy had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. This, along with his enduring faith is what saw him through the darkest days of his struggle with cancer. He had a profound love for the Gospel and was a genuine disciple of our Savior. He loved reading and studying the scriptures daily and kneeling with his wife in nightly prayer. Roy left a gaping hole in our hearts and he will be missed dearly. But he knew, and we know, that this is not the end, our family is eternal and we all will be together again in heaven.

A Celebration of Life will be held June 9 at 3 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ephrata, Wash. There will be a viewing starting at 1 p.m.

Please leave a memory for the family or sign the guestbook at www.scharbachs.com. Scharbach’s Columbia Funeral Chapel, Quincy, is assisting the family with arrangements.