In Loving Memory

A Fond Memory #1

• Uncle Shawn
• 03 March 2023

I remember one time Sherry and Royce came to visit me in Mobile, Alabama. I was expecting them, and was looking forward to spending time with Royce. So, I went out and bought Royce a BB Gun. I was going to teach him how to shoot. He was 5 or 6 years old, at the time. He was so excited to receive the BB gun, and we took time to shoot at targets in the back yard. I wanted Royce to take the BB gun home, to continue practicing. Sherry said, "No way! He'll shoot me with it". I think that's so cute.

Written with LOVE

• Uncle Shawn
• 07 March 2023

I really like this photo of Royce and one of his best friends. Royce was a powerful force. People were drawn to him. If you knew him, you know what I am saying is true. Royce didn't know strangers. He made connections.

A Beautiful Thought

• Uncle Shawn
• 13 March 2023

This photo represents the smile Royce wore most of the time. I really love that smile, and miss it. He was such a good looking kid. His smile is genuinely authentic. You can tell he feels wonderful inside; he knows love, he feels special.

A Fond Memory #2

• Uncle Shawn
• 25 March 2023

One time I was baby sitting Royce at home. He wanted to know how strong I was and asked me to squeeze his hand as hard as I could. So, I obliged. He was screaming, "Owwww!", and laughing at the same time. As soon as I would let go he would ask me to do it again. When it was his turn to squeeze my hand he would use both hands and I would act as if nothing was happening. He couldn't believe I didn't feel anything when he tried.

A Fond Memory #3

• Uncle Shawn
• 27 March 2023

One time, when Royce came to visit, I decided to take him to work to introduce my nephew to my co-workers. I worked on a campus and there was a festival taking place. Food was being given out, and activities were available. Royce and I had fun and were walking home. He spotted a popcorn ball that someone had dropped, and quickly ran over to picked it up. He immediately ate it, without hesitation. I was disgusted, but he loved it. He acted as if he discovered a treasure, and never even considered it germy. Just a typical child, no concerns.

From the Heart of Aunt Barbara

• Barbara Feltmate
• 31 March 2023

For my never to be forgotten Nephew / Godson Royce, thank you for all those wonderful smiles, and that charm you possessed. Thank you for letting me see the love you carried. You were one of a kind and I was blessed to have had the honor to fight the fight with you. I learned so much in such a short time. Thank you for the new look at my own life and my life chooses. Life truly is unpredictable and precious. I thank you, it was an honor.
Forever grateful to have known you - Aunt Bobbie (Only you called me that, and I sure miss it.)
I love you, beautiful Royce.
Always missed. XOXOXO

Aunt Heather Remembers

• Heather Gavranovic
• 30 May 2023

Dear Roycester,
You are surely missed. I am grateful to have had you in my life. Your spirit had an energy that is not seen often. Your ability to light up a room was uncanny. I loved talking with you about your future and your day to day life. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be on the other end of the phone when you needed advice. When you were little, you were a spitfire. A boy with lots of energy, joy, and curiosity for days. One of my favorite memories is when you came to Georgia as a christmas gift for Jeff. We put a big bow on your head. I loved our time together traveling to the Grand Canyon, and beyond, then back again, in a broken down RV.
I love you Royce and know I will see you again one day.

Letter of Reflection from Aahme

• Kristine Kramer
• 09 June 2023

Dear Royce,
It has been very hard to start this letter because every time I start it I cry. I cry because I can't get one of your great bear hugs. I cry because your life on earth was so short. You were a wonderful young man, smart and very caring. I wish that I had more time with you. I wish that I could have been able to do more for you. I pray for your soul every night. I know you have earned the right to be with our Lord in heaven. I will never forget your wonderful smile. I wonder where your life would have taken you. Would you have married and had children of your own. I'll bet you would have been a great father. Royce you are and always will be in my heart. I will never forget my beautiful grandson. I thank our Lord that I was blessed to have you in my life.
I love you so very much.
Aahme

A Fond Memory #4

• Shawn W. Feltmate (Aka: Uncle Shawn)
• 23 June 2023

I remember one time I was visiting Sherry in Citra, Florida (she lived in an old country store that was converted into an apartment). Royce was doing school work on a laptop in the kitchen. Sherry wasn't sure if he was actually doing his school work. So she asked him, and he told her that he was studying. To be sure he wasn't lying (because young adolescence lie for some reason, at a certain age/time of their lives). Sherry then goes outside the apartment and peeked in a window that Royce's back was facing. GUESS WHAT? He was NOT studying. He was watching RC racing videos on YouTube. Sooo... Sherry recorded it on her cell phone and walks back inside to ask Royce again what he was up to. And of course, he stuck to the lie, "I'm studying mom". Then she BUSTED him with the evidence by showing him the video footage.
What were you thinking buddy? You know your mom is smarter than that.

Aunt Melanie's YouTube Dedication

• Respectfully added by Shawn W. Feltmate for Aunt Melanie
• 18 March 2024

Sentiments from Cousin Jeffrey

• Respectfully added by Shawn W. Feltmate for Cousin Jeffrey
• 18 March 2024

1] I've spent time talking to Jeffrey about Royce. Jeffrey explained he was profoundly affected by Royce. Royce was more than a cousin, he was a friend, and a role model. He knew Royce as a gentle soul. He remembers together they would fish Aahme's pond, and have a great time. They went swimming one time and when they got out they found leeches on their bodies. Jeffrey had them around his nether region.

2] There was a time they met at Myrtle Beach for a family get-together one summer. They both ran around knocking on other guest's doors, then ducking and hiding (Ding Dong Ditch), and getting a real kick out of it. They hung out in the evenings meeting girls by the pool. It still makes Jeffrey laugh when he thinks of the good times they had. Royce was a true friend to Jeffrey.

Another Beautiful Thought

• Uncle Shawn
• 18 March 2024

One of the reasons Royce was so special to me, is because he wanted to know me. He wanted to know his Uncle Shawn. He took the time to ask questions. He asked me about the things I did and where I had been. It was a genuine quality he possessed. He was interested in all his family this way. His family was at a physical distance from him, but when he had time with them he made the most of it. He got to know them and understand who they are.

Aunt Heather Shares Again

• Heather Gavranovic
• 31 March 2024

I can't believe tomorrow will be 4 years since you passed. Sometimes I struggle to look at your pictures, because it hurts me that you were taken so young. I am grateful for the memories I have of you, and made with you, and so I think of those things and I always end up with a smile on my face. Royce you were such a joy to have around, except for those few times I had to reprimand you. ❤️ Nah! Actually you were a good boy and a caring young man. Your heart was so big. You cared about people in a way that is not common these days. You were helpful and responsible, and I was looking forward to your future. I know you would have ended up being an honorable man with a beautiful family one day. I thank God for having had you even if it was for such a short time.
I love you and miss you Royce.
Love, Aunt Heather

Uncle Ken Pays Tribute

• Ken Gavranovic
• 06 November 2024

Royce, I'm sending you all my love and prayers. I miss your boundless energy, the dreams you carried, and that unforgettable smile. I'll always hold close the memory of our walk in the Utah desert, a moment that showed me your spirit and depth. You'll always be with me, and I'm grateful for every moment we shared.
Forever in my heart, ❤️
Uncle Ken