James W "Jim" Roy passed away on May 4, 2026.
THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND
Jim was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of the late Norbert and Mercedes Roy. He spent his early life in Kenosha, Wisconsin where he attended local schools and graduated from Kenosha High School, (Mary D Bradford). Jim was an outstanding high school athlete attaining many accomplishments, honors and awards. He attended Whitewater State College after high school where he also was an outstanding athlete gaining many accomplishments, honors and awards.
Jim attended Whitewater State College, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, earning a bachelors degree in physical education/history and a master's degree in athletic administration.
Jim served honorably in the Michigan Army National Guard 146th Military Police Battalion (2/2/1964 to 2/2/1970). He held the rank of SFC E-7 and was a Platoon Leader, NCOIC Covert Ops Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and USA. In charge of physical training for the battalion and served from time to time as acting SGM. His main job was to get men and women rescued from enemy captivity. His platoon rescued 730 military service men and women who had been captured by the enemy.
For 20 years Jim was the owner and president of Roy's Markets (5). After selling out to the State of Michigan, Jim led an impactful and successful career at General Motors for 25 years as Director of Scrap and Repair. His life was an inspiration of care, love, determination and perseverance.
His interests included his 12 horses, particularly Skylight (The Wonder Horse) and many dogs, his beloved Green Bay Packers (shareholder), Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers.
Jim coached at Sacred Heart High School 20 years as Head varsity football Coach 161-19-1, 8 undefeated years, 7 in a row. Head boys' varsity basketball coach 20 years 406-39. Boy's Head varsity baseball coach 14 years 374-12 with 7 straight undefeated seasons, and Head track & field coach 6 years with a record of 167-19. Jim was also the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director for 20 years. Coach Roy won numerous championships and Coach of the Year awards in 4 different sports.
Jim played 14 years of semi-pro basketball while also coaching high school sports. He was a 14 times All Semi-Pro, 14 times All Star, 10 time league scoring champion, 10 time league MVP, all-time leading scoring 34.5 PPG, scored 104 points in one game and had a scoring average of 48.8 one season and a record 104 points in a game in 1972. He played before the 3 point rule was put in. For 19 years was head coach and general manager while working for General Motors. Winning 798 games and losing 57 games, and won 16 championships in 19 years. Jim also was a player coach for 11 of his 14 playing years with a record of 418-77 and 5 championships. Jim received numerous Coach of the Year awards and made six different Hall of Fame as player and coach. Jim also coached high school sports for 20 years, from1962 thru 1982 posting records as head football coach folded Jim was asked by a friend who was a school principal to come out of retirement and coach basketball again, which he did for another 12 years. Jim compiled an overall 51 year coaching record in basketball of 2116-297. Jim retired from coaching October 10th 2013. Jim is in six different Hall of Fames as a coach and player.
Jim excelled at cross country, baseball, basketball, football, track & field, as well as golf where he was a scratch golfer winning many amateur tournaments and had a total of 9 holes in one, and bowling, a career average of 203. He had many accomplishments, honors and awards in all these sports. In 1964 Jim had the opportunity to play on the PGA Tour but turned it down to focus on his business and coaching career.
Jim's most outstanding characteristic was an air of supreme self-confidence. He always gave the impression that to him nothing was impossible, that everything will turn out all right. Jim had a remarkable capacity to transmit this cheerful strength to others to allow those who hear it to begin to feel it and take part in it and, to rejoice in it and return it tenfold by their own confidence.
Jim's love for his family, his dedication to his career, unwavering work ethic, and his Catholic faith, provided inspiration to all those around him. Jim is survived by his wife Barbara, sister, Mercedes M Skidmore, step-son Paul (Karen) Cramer, step-daughter Nicole NeSmith, (David Navarro) and grand-daughters, McKenzie Cramer, Lauren Cramer, and grand-son Phinnley Navarro.
Jim was preceded in death by his father Norbert J Roy, mother Mercedes A Roy and his daughter Lisa Michelle Roy (12) swimming accident 1977, first wife Bertha B (BB) Roy (42) 17 years (breast cancer) and second wife Nancy Roy (52) 15 years (hit and run), Grand-daughter Katherine Rita (Phoenix) Nesmith 21 (Coved).