Nelson Duke Royall
October 13, 1951 ~ August 18, 2012
Nelson Duke Royall, a loving husband and father, was born on October 13, 1951 in Celina, Ohio and passed away on August 18th, 2012 in San Antonio, Texas. Duke was preceded in death by his parents, Ivey Grayson Royall and Florence Elizabeth Art Royall. Duke was a 1969 graduate of Churchill High School. He later attended Sul Ross State University on a football scholarship, graduating in 1974. After college, Duke joined his brothers in the family business; Royall Matthiessen Equipment and Supply, founded by their father in 1952. Known for his love of life, Duke had a constant smile and never met a stranger. He had a passion for music, hunting and the great outdoors. Duke played lead guitar with numerous bands and his many friends. He loved hunting in West Texas and spending time at his ranch in Kendalia. Duke is survived by his wife, Heather Schultz Royall and their daughter Ivey; brothers: Jeff and his wife Debi, and Mark Royall and his wife Tricia. One nephew, Brenan Royall and three nieces: Megan Smith, Hannah Peacock and Jenna Royall also survive. A memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 PM Wednesday, August 22nd at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1416 North Loop 1604 E.(281 & 1604). Flowers are always appreciated however memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 431 Isom Rd. #125, San Antonio, Texas 78216 or to a charity of your choice. To leave a note for the family, go to meadowlawn.net and select Obituaries.
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So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
It is with great sadness that I sign this guest book. Duke was indeed a fine man, a man of honor that you could always trust. His love of others will continue on always. I’m so thankful to have been able to spend time with him a couple of weeks ago. He will always be missed.
Sending our deepest and sincerest sympathy to the Royall Family. Kendalia just won’t be the same without his smile, sense of humor, and music.
My deepest sympathy goes to the entire Royal family. Duke was a true gentlemen and sportsman on and off the field. A fellow football player from Eisenhower to Churchill and we also attend Sul Ross University together. He was always generous with his time and friendship and as stated before He never met a stranger. Duke was an honorable man and a true leader in all things in his life. May God open His arms to Duke and welcome him home. Also, may God comfort his family during this time of sorrow. Many Blessings Duke my friend! Glen and Family
To the Royall Family I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Duke through CPS Energy. My prayers go out to your family. God Bless. Brenda Condrin
My deepest condolences go out to Duke’s family. I knew Duke through the music business. I worked on Dukes guitars. Most of all Duke was a friend who always had a smile and a positive attitude. I and the employees of Century Music want to convey our condolences to the family. May he rest in peace.
Sorry for your loss. We will miss him very much.
I’ll always fondly remember the summer trips to Port A with the Royall family, the Davis family and the Fillingim family. I know Duke is up there with Ivey and Flo, Pat and Roger and Bob and Kay enjoying a “sandy dog” on Heaven’s Beach.
If there is ever a biography written about Duke, I would like to suggest a chapter entitled Damn it Duke. It would be a chapter devoted to his ability to be quite the heathen. We met by being randomly assigned to a team for a skeet shooting league in 1983. Thanks to Duke, we won that league as he made some terrific shots.damn it Duke. I said that again a time or two in the bird fields thru the years. One time when there were no birds flying, we just drove thru the back country in my truck and consumed mass quantities of refreshment. Stopped in the middle of a flowing creek just to appreciate the time and Duke just opens the door and flops right into the creek! Damn it Duke!! Who does that? So I joined him.we must of laughed for 10 minutes. He was humble. After one particular shoot, he asked me to come down to LaVillita as he was going to be helping a band. We could have a few refreshments and listen to some music he says. I show up, theres Duke on stage playing guitar not any guitar – lead guitar!! Damn it Duke you never told me you could play! And play well! Thankfully he was not singing. He did not play favorites. He drove over my mailbox a time or two, and even Karen got into the act – damn it Duke be careful. Ducks Unlimited, signed me up for some silent auction items I didnt know I wanted, damn it Duke quit spending my money!! He sure was good at that. Many fond memories. To the Royall family, I am very sorry for your loss. I shall miss Duke greatly.
Sorry to hear of your loss
All of us here were sorry to hear of your loss. Hold on to the good memories and know that we are praying for you.
I miss you. I enjoyed the light you brought into the world with your smile. Mike Tyler
I went to Churchill and ended up at Sul Ross with Duke in 1970. I will always remember him giving me rides back home to SA in a huge car, cruising the wide expanse of Hwy 90 way too fast, one of his knees on the wheel, and strumming his guitar. I hope he lived the rest of his life as free and easy. Peace and healing to the family.
My thoughts & prayers go out to the Royall family. May the memories of the past help ease the pain of the tomorrows. Dava Sue Johnson
Duke was a very fine person and will be missed. Simon Garces Iron Works, Inc.
Heather, Ivy and family, I am saddened to hear of Duke’s death. I know he made a gallant fight to the end. While we will miss him at our Thanksgiving dressing parties, we will be comforted by many funny stories and fond memories of Duke. As his father use to say when he and Flo left our home after a visit, “It’s time to bed down”.
every body that has done work for is sad. We are so sorry. Heather is there any thing we can help you let us know… julie kilborn
Dear Heather and Ivey, I am so very sorry for your loss. Duke was always filled with love and joy and shared it where ever he went. He is gone way too soon. My prayers are with you and your family. God bless.
Heather and Ivey, We are so sorry to hear of Duke’s passing. Our love and prayers are with you.
Dear Heather, Ivey, Mark & Jeff, I am very sorry to learn of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
It was a pleasure working with Duke when he called on CPS Energy. Your family is in my prayers.
Aunt Heather and Ivey, I am so deeply saddened by the loss of Uncle Duke. I loved him greatly and my heart goes out to you both. He was the greatest cowboy I have ever known and he will live on in our memories. I love the both of you so much, and I am so sad and sorry that I could not make it to his services. I am here for the both of you though of you ever need anything. All my love, KK
May the good lord keep the Royall’s under his watchful eyes at this time of sorrow & pain.Duke was an amazing person,& a great boss.He was always willing to help out,whenever he could.He will be truely missed.My condolences to Duke’s wife,& daughter,but also to Mark,Jeff,& the employees of Royall-Matthiessen Equipment & Supply for the loss of Duke.God bless you all.
Heather I am so sorry to hear about Duke He will surely be missed. Wish we could have been there for you but our prayers and thoughts are with you and the family. Please keep in touch and come to the reunion when you can. we love you. Anneita and the other Duke relatives.
so sorry to hear about duke. I was a year ahead of him in h.s. we played football together. he was a really great guy.
Duke we will miss you. Thanks for all your efforts with past High School reunions. 69OTA
My condolences to Mark, Jeff and the family. I have fond memories of grade school sleep-overs at the Royalls home. More than once I have cooked my young kids blue pancakes like I had at the Royalls on a Saturday morning. – God Bless.
Dear Jeff & Mark, I am so sad to hear of Duke’s death- my condolences to you and all your family. Jim and I have many fond memories of our “growing-up years” in San Antonio- from Mink Dr. to Churchill. I remember when Mom would bake a chocolate cake for Duke every time the Chargers won a game… he would come to our house and we would all celebrate. He was just a great guy- funny, always smiling, ever the gentleman. Though I lost touch with him over the years, I see from reading the guestbook that he hadn’t changed and is obviously much beloved. May God bless Duke and all your family. Tessa Havlik
Duke, it’s been 10 years coming up. You left us all too early. Your life was such a benefit to many who knew you, or of you. Your legacy reaches beyond time and space and the memories you left behind are priceless beyond compare. It’s my prayer that your family left behind are all doing well and have been able to move forward. May God continue to bless the Royall family and the heritage business started by the patriarch in the early 50’s. Sincerely, Alan C Castle , Churchill schoolmate.