July Senior of the Month is Roy Wilson
The Newcastle Senior Citizens Center senior for the month of July is 88-year-old Roy Wilson of Newcastle. Roy was an only child in Alfread, Arkansas, and moved to Oklahoma at the age of 10.
For his first job, he was paid 50 cents a day for picking green beans and picking up and sacking potatoes. Going barefoot as a child seems to also stand out among his childhood memories.
He was married to Florence (Flo) for 62 years and they raised three boys before she passed. They moved to Newcastle in 1968 to be able to raise them in the country.
He spent four years as a sheet metal mechanic in the US Air Force and 40 years as an aircraft supervisor at the FAA. Roy retired in 1994 so he could enjoy his farm full time. The farm consisted of hay production and raising cattle.
He loves his country home and the friends he found here, and has made it a point to give back by being on the McClain County Soil Conservation Board for 15 years as well as serving in the role of Newcastle Senior Center Board president on and off for 10-plus years.
For many, many years he shared his joy with the Newcastle community by entertaining drivers along State Highway 62 with his holiday and event hay creations.
Seeing his grandkids, great-grandkids, and family are among his favorite activities, though he would add going to class reunions to the list.
If asked about an achievement he was proud of, it would be getting his private pilot’s license and flying his own plane to Nebraska. His joy in life has been teaching his grandsons how to farm.
Slowing down with aches and pains and all the doctor’s visits are always surprising as we get older, but he advises to keep a positive attitude, stay busy, and maybe eat some homemade ice cream.
His goal is to be remembered as a loving, caring dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa that always supported family. He would also like to be remembered for being a wise and generous person, and helping his friends and community while supporting local activities.
He and Flo began attending the Newcastle Senior Center for lunch when he retired in 1994. He would not be shy to tell you that the meals are always good.
Newcastle Senior Citizens Center invites every senior citizen in the community to join them at the center for meals from 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, and to check out the opportunities for games, crafts, and community fellowship.
The Newcastle Senior Citizens Center is located at 504 OK-130. Their phone number is 405-387-2100. Meals are $5 each and include salad bar, entrée, drink, and dessert.
