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Nov. 5, 1943-March 18, 2024

Roy J. Secor, 80, of Kalamazoo, passed away at his home on March 18, 2024. He was born in Dowagiac, MI on Nov. 5, 1943, to Lester and Phylis (Henderson) Secor.
Roy graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1961, Western Michigan University in 1965, and earned his Master’s degree from Western in 1968. Roy dedicated 37 years to Otsego High School where he was a Spanish and Social Studies teacher before rounding out his career as a beloved Guidance Counselor.
In his early years, Roy enjoyed backpacking across Europe, yearly trips to Colorado, exploring historical places of interest across the U.S., enjoying all corners of the upper and lower peninsula of Michigan, and visiting Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, NY. As anyone who spent time with him would know, Roy’s favorite trips were those he took with his beloved nephews, Ryan and Conner.
Roy was a passionate member of many different organizations. He was instrumental in moving forward the union priorities for the Otsego teaching staff with the Otsego Education Association, and a member of the Otsego Public Schools Foundation where he acted as a board member for several years engaging as an integral part of the selection process distributing academic scholarships to Otsego students. He played a key role at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) where his contributions included planning trips to several Midwest destinations for its members. Having an active role in his neighborhood watch council when living on Blakeslee Avenue was important to him for many years.
Roy was a member of the WMU Alumni Association and enjoyed tailgating with close friends at WMU football games. He was a season ticket holder at Miller Auditorium and attended countless shows at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre as well as the Farmers Alley Theater. Roy was always a strong and avid supporter of the local arts and conversations often involved his love of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA) where he was an active participant. He was a member of the Oshtemo Historical Society and enjoyed monthly speakers and fundraising projects for historical sites in Oshtemo, MI. He continued to enjoy monthly jaunts to his hometown where he met with past Dowagiac classmates for dinner and often participated in lectures at the Dowagiac History Museum. And, let’s not forget his membership with the Michigan One Room Schoolhouse Association where he and other members traveled across Michigan to visit several in the state – after having attended Red Mill Schoolhouse as a boy.
Roy loved movies and television and was quick to let you know an actor’s name and their character. One of his favorite’s being Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy. He also enjoyed an eclectic range of music and attended many live performances during his lifetime. Roy was a one-man show when playing trivia and could always beat his family with his wide array of knowledge in film, music, and history. Reading a good murder mystery or American history novel was often a summer pastime. He was a lover of dining out, red wine, and the many memories he made with his family and close friends over dinner both as outings and the numerous gatherings he would host in his home for holidays and those March Madness basketball games. Always the animated storyteller, he loved to entertain people.
Roy is survived by his sisters Cheryl Secor and Lori Secor; nephews Ryan (Calvin Boerigter) Daly, Conner Daly, and countless friends, many of whom were family to him, as well. He was preceded in death by his parents Lester and Phylis.
Services for Roy will be held at Langeland Family Funeral Home 3926 S. 9th St. Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Friends are invited to visit with the family on Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 4 pm to 7 p.m., and again on Friday, March 22, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., with a funeral service to follow. Friends are invited after the service to Martini’s 832 S. Westnedge Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49008 to gather for food, wine and fellowship.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Roy to the Otsego Public Schools Foundation PO Box 251 Otsego, MI 49078, or Osher Lifelong Learning Institute 1093 W. Michigan Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49008.
Please visit Roy’s personalized webpage to share memories and condolences