Royce Howard Lengele

Royce Howard Lengele Born July 19, 1948, in Prineville, Oregon Died peacefully at home in Redmond, Oregon on January 12, 2025, after a short battle with cancer and kidney failure. Growing up, Royce attended school in Madras, Oregon. He was the youngest of four children, and even though he was known to be mischievous, he discovered one of his passions in a woodworking shop. As an adult, he developed a craftsman's eye. He created beautiful furniture in addition to constructing decks and installing interiors. Royce enjoyed boating and hunting with his family at Roberts Ochoco National Forest in Prineville. He loved watching rodeo and participated in rodeo bronc riding. Shortly after high school, Royce worked at the Oregon Mint Mill in Madras. Royce joined the Navy in 1967. He served in Vietnam. He was a diesel engine mechanic and a "50 cal" gunner. He worked on the small PT boats ferrying soldiers up and down the Mekong Delta. While as a gunner, a fellow gunner was killed in action at his post. Royce jumped in and took over. He was also shot, but survived. For his bravery, he was awarded the Purple Heart on December 30, 1968, along with various other medals over his career. He took a break from service and drove an 18 wheeler semi-truck. He called it the Grey Ghost. After it broke down, Royce entered the Navy a second time in 1980. He was a cryptologist. At one point, Royce was stationed at Naples, Italy and the family lived in Pinetamare Italy. From 1980 to 1983, they lived in Rota, Spain. He was stationed at NAS North Island in San Diego and finally at Skaggs Island NAS, California, and was honorably discharged in 1993. Royce and his wife Trina moved to Redmond in May 1999. Throughout Royce's life, his passions were driving big rig trucks (brother Lyndon founded Lengele Trucking), hunting, fishing, rodeo and horses. Mostly, Royce loved his quarter horse Sires Pretty Boy aka "Windy", which he owned from 1997 to 2022. The name came from the horse's birth at Windridge Farms in Petaluma, California. Royce worked there for a short time taking care of the horses. Royce owned other horses too, Sassy and Babe to name a few. Royce was preceded in death by his parents Ted Ray Lengele and Katherine Marie Lengele nee Halbach, and his brothers Raymond and Lyndon Lengele. Royce lost his daughter Cindy due to cancer in 2016. She was 39. Royce is survived by his wife Catherine (Trina) Boas-Lengele Sister - Roxanne Wiggs, nee Lengele Ex-wife and mother to his children, Connie Lengele Son - Kevin Lengele, married to Maria Elena Lengele, nee Carbo Three grandchildren Emily Ann Colon, Mathew Brian Lengele and Camila Sophia Lengele and one great-grandchild, Everly Lengele (Mathew's daughter) Betty Lengele (spouse of Raymond) Nine nieces and nephews Services will be at Eagle Point National Cemetery on Tuesday January 21st at 11:00 AM. A celebration of life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude.

Royce Howard Lengele

July 19, 1948 - January 12, 2025