John J. Roy, Jr.

John J. Roy, Jr, 94, passed away October 30, 2023. John’s passion and career path as a musician started at the age of 6, when his parents presented him with a Leedy Snare drum for Christmas. By age 10, he played in the Drum and Bugle Corp at the New York’s World Fair. At age 20, John performed with the Louisville Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. He went on to teach drum students at Durlauf’s Music Store from 1958-1970. While teaching, he backed up local teenage performers on the Hi Varieties Show with the Johnny Schrader Trio. He met June Kelley when she was a singer on the show, and they married in 1977. From 1976-1986, he owned and operated Johnny Roy’s Drum Shop. In 1986, he formed the Ovation Orchestra, 12 musicians and singer, his wife, June Kelley-Roy. John played with many artists of note, including Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Liberace, Anita Bryant, Helen O’Connell, Roy Rogers, Tex Beneke, The Glenn Miller Band, Rowan and Martin, Dick Van Dyke, and the Soft Winds Trio which included Herb Ellis, Lew Carter, and Johnny Frigo. At the age of 17, John joined the Musicians Local 11-637 and served as President/Secretary/Treasurer from 1987 – 1994. John was also a Veteran, having been inducted in the US Army in 1951. John was preceded in death by his sons, Danny and David Roy. John is survived by his partner in life, his “Lady of Song” June Kelley-Roy; daughter, Teri-Ann Roy-Abell (Mark); daughter-in-law, Judy Brian Roy; grandchildren, Amy Roy, Brian Roy, Ariane Roy, Josh Garrett, and John Brian (Aaron); great-grandchildren, Aaralyn, Caden, David and Jacob; step-family, Marie Ruf (Jack), Joanna Clark (Matthew), Angela Thompson (Larry), Robert Schlafer (Sandy) and Jermone Schlafer (Chelsea); nieces, Carolyn Skees Franklin and Bernadette Skees Nedley; Nephews, Charle Skees (Debbie) and Dennis Skees; great nephews, Greg Franklin, Matthew Franklin, and Tyler Skees and great nieces, Rachel Tadlock (Cole) and Kim Nedley Lenz. John bequeathed his body to the Willed Body Program at UofL School of Medicine. A Celebration of Life will be held at 7:30pm Sunday, November 12, 2023, at Owen Funeral Home – Jeffersontown, 9318 Taylorsville Road. Visitation will be held prior to the service 4pm-7:30pm. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Kosair for Kids or Hosparus of Louisville.

John J. Roy, Jr.

January 5, 1929 - October 30, 2023