Roy Eugene McConaughey

June 16, 1944 - May 29, 2024 - Roy was born to Clarence and Jennie McConaughey in Caldwell, Idaho and spent his childhood in the Treasure Valley in Idaho. The family moved to Newberg, Oregon when Roy began college at George Fox College (now University).

Roy played football, and baseball, and ran track at George Fox. He met his partner Karen Sue Thornburg while at college. They were married on December 27, 1964, at Newberg Friends Church. Roy graduated in 1966 with a PsycH/Soc degree and he began teaching school and coaching in Wilder, Idaho.

His teaching career lasted until 1975 when he took a youth pastor position at Northridge Friends Church in Wichita, Kansas. Roy and Karen were both recorded Friends ministers and pastored among Friends in Kansas, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. He later returned to education and served as a teacher and coach. He worked with the Idaho State Dept. of Education. Roy served as principal at CS Lewis School in Newberg and topped off his education career as a much-loved substitute in and around Yamhill County, Oregon.

Roy loved the outdoors, birds, flowers, people, horses and dogs. He never met a stranger and found a deep connection with his horses and dogs. He loved encouraging current George Fox football players as a member of the Bruin Football Club. He was inducted into the George Fox Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.

Roy McConaughey suffered two strokes in recent weeks and died after a brief hospital stay. All his kids and grandkids as well as extended family and friends were able to visit him and gather around to sing and pray with him at his bedside.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by Karen, his partner of nearly 60 years; his two sons Shawn and partner Katrina (Indiana), Michael and partner Adina (Oregon) and three grandchildren Jered with partner Alyssa, Amanda and partner Joey, and Elsie and partner Payton; one brother Glen and partner Nancy (Indiana) as well as many other beloved family members and friends.

Any memorial gifts could be directed towards The Bruin Football Club at George Fox University Athletics at https://athletics.georgefox.edu/sports/2021/5/7/giving-index.aspx or to a local horse therapy organization Forward Stride at www.forwardstride.org

A memorial service remembering and celebrating Roy’s life will occur Sunday, June 16, 2024, at 3:00 pm at North Valley Friends Church in Newberg, Oregon. The YouTube link for the service is https://youtube.com/live/E9WxXQD25SM?feature=share