Royce "Rc" Womble

MANSFIELD -- Royce Cullen Womble passed away on Wednesday, November 30, 2016, after a battle with Alzheimer's. Royce was a resident of Mansfield, and a wonderful brother, father, grandfather, and friend to all he knew.
Service: 3 p.m. Sunday at Blessing Funeral Home. Visitation: 2 p.m., Sunday before the service. Burial: 9 a.m., Monday at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Royce was born in Webb Texas, on August 12, 1931, second youngest of a family of six children. Known to friends as RC, he grew up on a family farm, and explained he was never hungry, and always had what was needed. He never complained, even though his family suffered the loss of their father Cornelius when Royce was 4 years old. RC earned his way through college playing football at North Texas State University, and was inducted into NTSU's ring of honor in later life. World War II was winding down, but RC and several of his football teammates signed up to assist recovery efforts, and served 4 years in the Navy at Dallas Naval Air station.
After his military service, he tried out with the Baltimore Colts, where he played as wing back 5 years, and then 1 more year with the Los Angeles Chargers. He qualified for an NFL retirement, and maintained many friends around the NFL.
RC saw the best in people and believed in hard work and solid families. He was positive and strong, and was a leader in every task he took on. He was a farmer, an athlete, a sailor, a coach, earned a Masters Degree in Physical Education, formed a small business partnership with two other partners, then eventually purchased Arlington Sporting Goods outright and incorporated, and with Jan's help ran the business for almost 40 years. He was a shrewd and fair business manager and exited the sporting goods business and bought a farm in Nocona to enjoy in retirement.
He has a set of wonderful friends that joined him in his lifelong hobbies, including quail hunting, dove hunting, fishing and bird dogs.
He was preceded in death by his son, Reed Merritt Womble.
Survivors: He is survived by his loving wife, Janice and sisters Robbie Lee Gilstrap and Betty Mitchell. RC is also survived by his children, Brian and daughter-in-law Denise, Greg, Debbie Autry Turner, Robin Autry Alaniz and Bryan Autry. Grandchildren include Julie Trkula, Scott Womble, Josh Womble, Krystal Arnold, Jimmy Christinidis, Shelby Christinidis Moritz, and 4 great-grandchildren.