-
Bartee
Royce Andrew Bartee, 79, of Tyler, Okla. passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at the Lake Country Nursing Center in Marietta, Okla. He was born on November 24, 1944, on the family farm in Tyler, Okla. to the late Vernon Cordell Bartee and Nadia Hallmark Bartee.
Royce was a twin and 15 minutes older than his sister Loyce. The family moved to Spencer, Okla. with their dad’s company, Ashland Oil. He attended the first grade in Spencer and moved back to Madill in the second grade; Mrs. Sparlin was his second-grade teacher. Royce graduated from Madill High School in 1963 and went on to attend Southeastern for a couple of years before moving to Dallas, Texas.
He married Sharon Kay Bellmyer on March 7, 1970, in Dallas and she preceded him in death on December 1, 2017. While living in Dallas, he began working for Texaco Inc. where he started as an Assistant Warehouse Man. Over time, Royce worked his way up to the Manager of Operations over eight states. At the age of 58, Royce decided to retire and move back to the family farm to enjoy life. He worked as County Commissioner and during his term he was active in setting up a functional EMS operation.
Royce also worked at Landmark Bank, Madill in Operations. He was very active in his community, serving on many boards. Over the years Royce served on the EMS, Marshall County Historical Society, and the Madill Alumni Association. Royce, also worked as the Board Chairman of the Madill Housing Authority for 15 plus years and worked as a precinct officer for the Madill Election Board. He was a member the Masons and the Oakview Baptist Church where he was very active serving on different committees. With all his accomplishments, Royce said his greatest decision was when he repented and asked God into his life.He loved his longhorn cattle and collecting Texaco memorabilia.
Royce was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother, Jim Bartee and sisters, Nadine Killion and Wanaloy Harris.
Royce is survived by:his son, Richard Bartee of Dayton, Nev.; siblings:, Evelyn Coleman of Independence, Mo., Loyce Eldridge and husband Jerry of Tyler, Okla., Phyllis Russell and husband Earl of Madill, Okla., Tony Bartee and wife Marcie of Marietta, Okla., Terry Bartee and wife Valerie of Madill, Okla., and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Thursday, January 11, 2024 at the Watts Funeral Home if Madill, Okla. from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a family hour from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 12, 2024, at the Watts Memorial Chapel in Madill, Okla. Greg Idell will officiate the service. Interment will be at the Rollins Cemetery in Simpson, Okla.
Services will be under the direction of Watts Funeral Home in Madill, Okla. Condolences may be sent to wattsfuneralhome. com. Casket Bearers will be Robert Bartee, Allan Bartee, Andrew Bartee, Jim Bartee, Joe Bartee, Craig Murphy, Chad Coble and Ronnie Bartee.