Born on October 28, 1948 in Melbourne, Floridq
Departed on July 13, 2021 in Melbourne, Florida
Roy E. Platt, beloved husband, father, grandfather and generational native Floridian, has joined our Lord and Savior. Roy passed in peace on his own terms with bravery and dignity with his family by his side in the early morning hours of July 13, 2021.
Roy was born October 28, 1948 in Melbourne, FL to Marjorie and Minor Platt, a Rancher. Roy and his six siblings lived a simple but extraordinary life, with plenty of room to roam the wilds of Florida, through palmettos and pine, to hunt, fish and work cattle. Early on, Roy took a keen interest in the land clearing equipment used on the ranch, becoming savvy in operation and repair. In years to come, he would take that expertise and turn it into a business of land clearing, which his son, Rep continues today. He became an experienced welder, and turned that talent into an art form. He once welded a life size horse for the Silver Spurs Parade!
His mother had more interest in sports than cattle, and much to his father’s disapproval, saw to it that her boys were constantly active in sports. Her spot on the bleachers was never empty; she was always there, cheering them on. Consequently, in 1965, Roy was Offensive Guard for the Melbourne High School football team, winning second in the State Championship that year. In 1965-66 he participated in high school rodeo, winning Florida All Around Champion, but the demands of the ranch left little time for competition.
In 1969, Roy was blessed to marry Sandra Chesser, who also came from a ranching family. They were a seamless match because they shared so many commonalities. Together, they built a life on a foundation of love and respect, and a ranching business. For the next 52 years, they raised their two children, and saw seven cherished grandchildren born. In 2013, just when life could not have been better, they lost their treasured daughter. Although she had blessed them with four granddaughters, Christi was the apple of Roy’s eye, the love of his life. It was a loss that he never recovered from. His last words were that he was ready to go to be with his Christi.
Roy was a man to be admired for his slow and easy demeanor, like a calm in the midst of a storm; strong, steady, never wavering. He had a Will Rogers philosophy; profound truth in few and simple words. And like Will Rogers, Roy believed that “worrying is like paying on a debt that may never come due.” He did not worry…and he did not hurry, ever! Roy lived his life unhurriedly and enjoyed every simple moment like a prime cut steak. He had a keen wit and could target someone’s Achille’s heel with precision.
Roy was a devoted husband, loving father, adored grandfather and loyal friend. He will be deeply mourned and painfully missed by so many.
Roy joins his beloved daughter, Christi Platt Engels, brothers Harold and Paul, and sister Margie.
He is survived by his wife Sandra, son Roy, Jr. (Rep), daughter-in-law Danielle, son-in-law Ken Engels, three grandsons (Bryce, Ian and Brody) and four granddaughters (Riley, Avery, Sydney and Chloe.) He is also survived by brother Minor, Jr. (Buddy) and sisters Mary and Marilyn.
Please consider donations in his memory to The Mission Church in Palm Bay, Florida or Sebastian River Baptist Church in Sebastian, Florida.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at the family home.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. (Isaiah 41:10)
15 entries.
Joan Valentine Payne
from Atlanta wrote on August 2, 2021:
Roy was a great friend to all. He will be missed, especially in Fellsmere. I am praying for peace, comfort, and strength in this difficult time for his family. He was a high school classmate of my brother, Johnny.
Meta Chesser Keen
from Vero Beach, Florida wrote on August 1, 2021:
Roy was such a fine and loving brother-in-law, who became more like a bother. My family lovingly called him Uncle Roy. His many gifts were used to amuse and please my family. One of his gifts was the ability to make many different things such as a swamp buggy, used for hunting trips and family rides. He had an amazing sense of of humor. He made a sweat shirt picturing our twin boys with their pictures with “Mothers little angels” emblazoned on it, and became an instrument of teasing the twins. He was also a very generous man considerate to all. Most of all he was a loving person embracing his devoted wife, his son Rep, and beloved daughter Christi, who passed away to his undying grief. He extended his love to all of us in our extended family. We lift a prayer of thanksgiving for the great memories he left to comfort all of us.
Sybil Chesser Yellen
from Duluth wrote on July 29, 2021:
Sybil & Larry Yellen: As I think back to Aug. 6, 1966, it was the beginning of a very long and wonderful friendship. The date was special as it was my younger sister's birthday and Sandy was going out on her first date with Roy Platt. After a few years of dating, Roy asked Sandy to marry him and their wedding was on a beautiful day on May 31, 1969.
Roy always seemed so relaxed and it helped reign in my sister's fast speed! Over the 52 years of their marriage, we shared so many happy occasions whether it was at the ranch or at their Signal Mountain, TN home. Roy could always put something on the grill and Sandy was there for the other special dishes.
Roy was a devoted father and husband, he enjoyed watching his children play sports and was an excellent coach. When his granddaughters started playing soccer, he would so often drive to their out-of-state games. He always wanted to be there, support them and give them his special direction of how to play the game.
All of our family loved Roy and he gave back so generously. If anyone needed help with something, it was Roy or "Uncle Roy", who would come to the rescue. His love for nature was very evident, he loved being on the river or riding his horse on the ranch.
As the sun sets today, we will find that special time to reflect on the loving memories that Roy Platt has left with us. May you rest in peace and we pray for your loving wife, Sandy, your son Rep and for your dear family. With love, your sister-in-law, Sybil
Todd and Cheryl Smith
from Palm Bay wrote on July 27, 2021:
To Sandy, Rep and the rest of the Platt family, Cheryl and I pray for peace and comfort in your loss of Roy. Psalms 55:22 says "Cast your burdens upon the Lord and He will sustain you." Lean upon your faith in the coming times, and know that you will see Roy again! Roy was my best friend and I cannot count the decades of friendship and respect we had for each other. His passing leaves an emptiness that cannot be filled. Love, Todd and Cheryl
Betty Jean Taylor
from Crossville wrote on July 19, 2021:
Roy's family were people well known thruout West Melbourne and beyond, for ranching, for their old family grocery store with the horse out front, (Johnny Platt's Store,) and for their rich heritage with Christian values. May this good man rest in peace eternally. I didn't know Roy personally as he was a few grades above me at Mel-Hi but a football hero is always a hero and sure his soccer coaching matched his amazing feats in life. My heart is with his wife at this time and with his family, collectively as he is missed now and in the months ahead. God bless the Platt family.
George Darby
from MELBOURNE wrote on July 19, 2021:
George A. Darby
Tim and Pam Hales
from Warm Springs, Ga. wrote on July 19, 2021:
Our sincerest condolences go out to you Sandy, and the Platt family, on the passing of Roy. We are so sorry for your loss. Although we may have lost touch over the years, some of my best memories of years gone by are of Roy and the Platt family. Rest in peace my friend.
Barry Boyd, Class of 1966.
from Melbourne Beach, Florida wrote on July 19, 2021:
Our prayers go out to the Platt family.
Roy and I were both on the Babe Ruth League, Fire Department baseball team. Roy was the catcher. I played third base. The fire chief was the coach. Donald Redding and Johnny Valentine were other players on our team. Wish I could remember more.
If a base-runner was rounding third heading for home and saw Roy standing over home plate with a smile on his face, waiting for the throw to the plate, the runner would turn around and high-tail it back to third base.
Russ and Missy (Engels) Foster
from Okeechobee, FL wrote on July 18, 2021:
Roy has gone on to be with the Lord. May the family find comfort and peace in know that, as well as from the love and support they receive from those who care about them.
Jessica Winn Braz
from Longwood wrote on July 18, 2021:
Dear Sandy, Rep and family,
My deepest Condolences for the passing of Roy, I have such fond memories of him, such a great man. I always loved talking to him about old times when I would run into him, of course Christi would always be spoken of so highly! Love and prayers
Ed and Dyann Trezza
from Ocala wrote on July 18, 2021:
A gentle giant for sure! Prayers
Patricia Sims
from Melbourne wrote on July 16, 2021:
Prayers and Sympathy go out to Sandy and her family. It is such a blessing to know our loved ones are with the Lord.
Barbara Glover
from Bethel, CT wrote on July 16, 2021:
Sandy & family, I’m so sorry for your loss. He was hard working, kind and sincere man and a loyal friend to Joey. He always had just the right words and delivered them in his sincere and unassuming manner. I remember him coaching the soccer team that Melissa was on & the players had so much respect for him. Roy was so good to Joey over the last few years, driving over to pick him up & take him to lunch every few weeks. RIP, Roy. You deserve a peaceful rest after your journey on this earth. Yes, he can be with Christy, his family and friends. He will be missed by many.
Bobby & Regina Chesser
from Fellsmere wrote on July 15, 2021:
You will be missed more than you could ever imagine. Happy trails to you, our dear brother-in-law, until we meet again.
Death is natural. Nothing natural can be detrimental.
Death is rest. Rest is strength in disguise for a further adventure.
At the present state of human evolution, to conquer Death may be an impossibility,
but to overcome the fear of death is not only practicability, but inevitability.
Death is normally the sign that the soul, under the particular circumstances,
has exhausted the possibilities of its progress in a particular body.
Tracy (White) Oxley
from Melbourne wrote on July 15, 2021:
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs. Platt, Rep and their families. Mr. Platt was my soccer coach growing up and was a friend of my fathers. He was always so kind and had a way of making you feel important. He didn’t even get mad when I drove a four wheeler into the middle of a hay bale!! I have great childhood memories of him and am happy he lived a remarkable life and is now at peace with Christi and our Lord.
Born on October 28, 1948 in Melbourne, Floridq