Dennis Roy

Dennis "Denny" Paul Roy, age 76 passed away on Monday, May 23, 2011 at Valley Memorial Nursing Home in Grand Forks, ND. Dennis was born on July 11, 1934 to Paul and Doris (Miller) Roy in Pembina, ND. He grew up in Pembina and graduated from Pembina High School in 1952. He married Darlene Hunter from Crystal, ND on January 19, 1957. After their marriage, they lived in Pembina, ND for a short time. Dennis enlisted in the Air Force and they moved to March Air Force Base in California. They resided there for 4 years and then moved to Oakes, ND and later on to Walhalla ND. He operated the Mobil service station for 10 years and then worked for Soeby Motors. He moved to Grand Forks in 1976 and started his own mechanic/machine shop business Denny's Engine & Machine. Dennis married Tammy Nelson on May 2, 1987. He relocated his business to north of Grand Forks in the mid 1990's. This is where he resided until he became ill in December 2010 and went to live at the Valley Memorial Home in Grand Forks. Dennis was an avid NASCAR fan, he raced snowmobiles in his younger years plus built and raced his own race cars for many years in NE North Dakota and in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dennis was inducted into the River Cities Speedway Hall of Fame in July 2009 and was very proud and touched with this accomplishment. He served on the Manvel Volunteer Fire and Rescue as a Captain 1988 and retired as the longest serving firefighter in the department serving for 20 years. Dennis had 3 cats that were very special to him, Junior, Sabor and Flash. He also enjoyed going to auction sales and collecting different items including brass, model cars, and Jim Beam decanters. Dennis is survived by his 5 children; Patricia (Steve) Peterson of Williston, ND, Mitchell (Christine Pribula) Roy of Grand Forks, Gaye (John) Carpenter of Leroy, ND, Darla (Jeff) Dybwad of Fargo, ND and Katelyn of Eagan, MN; 8 grandchildren; Stephanie (Jeremy) Bakken, Darin (Kristin) Wendt of Williston, ND; Cody (Dawn Diemert) Carpenter of Walhalla, ND; Jay T (Kelsey Scherweit) Carpenter of Fargo, ND; Courtney Pribula of Janesville, WI, Sean Roy of Grand Forks, ND; Dawn Roy of Warroad, MN; and Jacob Dybwad of Fargo, ND; and 13 great grandchildren; Carter, Cece , Chaz, Decker and Denli of Williston, ND; Dalton of St. Thomas, ND; Macey, Max and Maddie of Walhalla,ND and Preston of Minnetonka, MN, Kiaya &Taytym of Fargo, ND ; and Landen of Warroad, MN.; one brother Fred (Elaine) Roy of Pembina, ND and many nieces, nephews and numerous great life-long friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Doris Roy and an infant brother, Jimmy Roy. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to Manvel Fire Dept and/or Valley Memorial. Since blue is Denny's favorite color,family members have chose to wear blue to honor his memory. The family invites all those attending to feel free to wear blue in memory of Denny as well!