Roy Laughton Whitehead Jr's Obituary
Roy Laughton Whitehead, Jr. (Laughton) died peacefully on Friday, April 19th. He was born on February 2, 1939, in Longview to R.L. Whitehead, Sr. and Marguerite Anna Treuthardt Whitehead. R.L. and Marguerite settled in Longview as he began his career in law during the oil boom in East Texas. The Whiteheads became pillars of the community and were committed to First Presbyterian Church where they raised their children – Laughton, and his sister, Barbara.
Laughton’s early life was filled with recognition, discovery, and accomplishment. His intelligence was acknowledged early when he was told to skip the first grade and start school in the second grade. He was a member of Longview’s first little league all-star team, on which he played first base. He was the UIL Texas state champion in typing. He also began playing piano, which turned into a passion and a lifelong love of music.
Laughton attended Austin College, where he excelled academically while double-majoring in Latin and Economics. His acumen in leadership was recognized when he was elected student body president. During college, he experienced the first of major life choices when his professors gave him an ultimatum: play baseball or piano. He chose piano.
Upon graduation from Austin College, Laughton pursued a law degree, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He attended the University of Texas Law School and supplemented his studies with piano playing. His music career grew as he played piano professionally in several bands that covered various genres including Rock-N-Roll, Rockabilly, and his favorite, Dixieland Jazz. His bands had several regional hits. One of them, “Thunderbird,” was later covered by ZZ Top.
It was in law school that he met the love of his life, Martha Frances Hess. He skipped the law school graduation ceremony to marry Martha on June 1, 1963, at First Methodist Church in Pittsburg, Texas. Laughton found himself at the crossroads of another major life decision: go on the road with the band or pursue a career in law and start a family. Thankfully, he chose family and law. He and Martha built a life together in Longview and had three children – Roy III, Stewart, and Anna. His law practice grew from a start in the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office to joining his father, R.L., in his practice. Eventually, he built a boutique firm that focused on Family Law until his retirement in 2020. He was a member of the first class of family law specialists to be certified by the Texas Board of Legal Certification. At the annual Advanced Family Law Conference in San Antonio, he taught, lectured, and presented papers for decades. He was recognized by his colleagues for having been nominated to every prestigious legal association including the American College of Trial Lawyers, American Board of Trial Advocates, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists. He was also a member of the T. John Ward Inn of Court, State Bar of Texas, State Bar College, American Bar Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association and Gregg County Bar Association.
As Laughton’s career and family grew, so did his commitment to serving the Longview community through his faith and in action. He and Martha were founding members of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder, Sunday School teacher, and occasional preacher. He faithfully volunteered at Meals on Wheels and lovingly supported the Highway 80 Rescue Mission. He served on the board of the Cherokee Club. He was a lifelong Democrat, following again in the steps of many Whitehead generations. He proudly served both as the Chairman of the Gregg County Democratic Party and as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention for Al Gore in 1988. He was even the subject of a national CNN story during the convention.
Laughton’s heart and passion can be seen in his love for his family and friends. He and Martha shared over 60 years together in a marriage built on faith, love, laughter and friendship. The stories of their adventures together in parenting, travel, and companionship are numerous. He spent much of his life at Lake Cherokee, where many memories were made with family and friends - days of water-skiing, cookouts on the island, gathering around the piano for sing-alongs and festive 4th of July parties. He loved looking out at the lake and pondering all of God’s creation and the peace and serenity of its beauty. His most favorite times were filled when his children and grandchildren surrounded him, sharing good stories, a glass of wine, lots of laughs and most of all, love. Often those times were spent watching the Dallas Cowboys or Texas Rangers or his beloved Texas Longhorns.
Laughton will be so deeply missed, but he leaves behind a legacy that will carry on in many lives. He loved unconditionally, which was based on his faith in Jesus Christ. His spirit and presence of kindness and generosity are unforgettable. His legendary quick wit and humor leave us with many sayings that carry on his wisdom and memory.
Laughton, affectionately known as “Big L” by his family, is survived by his loving wife, Martha and children, Roy (Elizabeth), Stewart (Dandre) and Anna (Mark) and his grandchildren McLaine (Travis and daughter, Bridges), Maddie, Laughton, Lee, Andrew, Anna, Ellen and Sally.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Laughton’s honor to the Austin College Academic Scholarship fund online at www.austincollege.edu/giving or by mail to Austin College 900 N. Grand Ave Ste 6G, Sherman, TX 75090 or to the University of Texas Scholarship Fund online at https://give.utexas.edu/?menu=OGPFAGS or by mail to UT Austin, University Development Office, 1 University Station, Mail Stop 3000, Austin, TX 78712.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian of Church, Longview, Texas on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 1:00PM.
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