Roy Ivey Obituary (1940 - 2024)

It is with profound sadness that we remember the life of Roy James Ivey, known affectionately to family, friends, golf enthusiasts and Taekwondo students as Roy, Dad, Papa, Great Papa and Mr. Ivey. Roy James Ivey was born to parents Edwin Ivey (PA) and Mary (Maher) Ivey (Ireland) in Helena Montana on June 9th, 1940. Roy was the youngest of six children, Joe, Frances, Rose, Margaret and Joyce. Rumor had it that Roy would not have been born had his older brother Joe had not passed away at the age of 2. Roy often reminisced about the large family home in Boulder, Montana, where the kitchen was heated by a coal stove and a "potbelly stove" warmed the living room and water for baths and laundry. This was during the World War II, which he didn't give much thought to at his age other than the food rationing stamps and the weather balloon that scared everyone into turning their lights out early, they thought it was the Germans or the Japanese. He spent most of his time fishing and playing near the Boulder River that ran through their small town with his two friends Mike and Pat. In 1948, following his father's death from a stroke, Roy's mother Mary, along with Margaret, Frances, and Roy, relocated to Rexburg, Idaho, joining Rose and Joyce. Adjusting to Rexburg's predominantly LDS community was challenging for the devout Catholic family, with only a monthly Catholic Mass available instead of weekly services. Roy's first job was with his sister Fran picking potatoes. In Idaho they had what was called “spud vacation”, which lasted two weeks. The school kids were dismissed from school, where they would pick potatoes, and would earn 14 cents a bag. Later, Roy would shine shoes during the day and at night collecting nightcrawlers to sell to fishermen so he could earn enough money to purchase his own school cloths as his mother could only afford minimal cloths. Small for his size, Roy spent a lot of time having to fight with his schoolmates, but after a little time they eventually let up on him. He played baseball as a young boy and you would most likely find him on the Baseball field Monday- Saturday, all day. Playing sports was probably the only reason he stayed in school and graduated. Being better than average, Roy made the high school baseball team as a freshman, where he lettered. This would save him from the "initiation" the other new athletes had to endure their sophomore year. When Roy was 12, he bought a pair of skis and promptly blew out his knee on a trip to Bear Gulch, an injury that bothered him for most of his life. When Roy was a sophomore in high school he took the skis, poles and 35 dollars and got himself his first set of golf clubs. Rick’s College in Rexburg had three golf holes on the lawn in front of one of the buildings and Roy would play them over and over again. One day his coach Paul Davids asked if he would work at the golf club, of course his answer was yes, and this is where his Golf story begins. There were so few golfers in Rexburg that he was a shoo-in for the golf team. But now he had to decide between baseball and golf, and baseball always won out. As he put it, by the time he suffered through his senior year of high school several Major League scouts had come to watch him play, but at only 5’ 7” and 145 pounds he wasn't exactly "Major League sized". Roy graduated high school in May of 1958, that September he had grown to 6’1” and was 20 pounds heavier so, it was time to head to Salt Lake City for baseball tryouts. This time he was offered a contract, but it was far too little money to support himself and his mother, so he declined the offer. He bummed around the first couple years out of school, worked some jobs and built a 1955 Chevy. His brother- in-law started taking him hunting, but they wouldn't let him carry a gun for several years. Finally, after they let him carry a gun and shoot with them, he filled every tag that year. In the years that followed, Roy worked various jobs, including building a 1955 Chevy and hunting with his brother-in-law. His introduction to Ardith Covert through his sister Frances led to their marriage on April 15, 1961. They welcomed their first daughter, Brenda, on January 16, 1962, and later moved to Pocatello. Roy's racing car endeavors began soon after, and on Christmas Day 1967, their second daughter, Cari, was born, completing their family. Roy fondly recounted a memorable elk hunting trip with his daughters, showcasing his dedication and enthusiasm for the sport. Roy’s diverse career included roles as a sportswriter, gun dealer, beer and wine distributor, and janitorial and restoration company owner, but his true passion remained golf. He was a PGA professional golfer from 1976 until his passing. In October 2005, Roy began studying Taekwondo with his grandsons Nate and Andrew, eventually co owning an ATA location with Andrew from 2010 to present. Roy's greatest joy was teaching, whether it was giving golf lessons or leading Taekwondo classes. His quest for knowledge continued throughout his life, with plans to achieve his Fourth-degree black belt after overcoming illness. Roy James Ivey passed away on July 30, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Edwin, and his siblings Rose, Joyce, Frances, Margaret, and Joe. He is survived by his daughters Brenda Brain and Cari Poscente (husband Steven), his grandchildren Jerrid Brain (wife Stephanie), Taylor Brain (wife Dorian), Nate Brain, and Andrew Rady (wife Sarah), and his nine great-grandchildren Hunter Haws, Brayden Brain, Kowai Haskins, Lilli Rady, Carson Rady, Everlee Brain, Garrett Brain, Ryder Rady, and Amelia Brain. Roy’s remarkable spirit, passion, and charisma will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.