Roy Thomas Card
Roy Thomas Card, “Papa”, went home to be with the Lord on September 23, 2023.
He was born on August 14, 1930, in Tennessee to Russell Card and Mae Cobble Card and moved shortly thereafter to Alabama. He attended Central High School and graduated in 1948. Roy enlisted in the Coast Guard right after high school. After his discharge two years later, he met his lifelong sweetheart, Virginia, in 1950. They were married on Aug. 25, 1951, and had three children, Renee, Brian, and Brad. The family spent time actively involved in church life at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church where Roy and Virginia were members for 66 years. Roy served as an elder in the church for many years. Roy loved to golf, fish and to spend his Saturdays cheering for his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide.
Roy and his brother, Lewis began their illustrious career in the tufting machinery business while working for their Uncle Joe at Cobble Brothers Machinery Company. Roy worked with his brother to found several companies in the tufting industry. He concluded his long career at Card-Monroe Corp (CMC) after 60 plus years in the industry. Roy had well over 100 patents to his name when he retired. During his career, he was a leader and mentor to many. The current creative innovation and world-wide industry leadership that CMC exhibits today is built on the foundation that Roy and Lewis laid. Both Roy and Lewis were inducted into the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga School of Business Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 2010.
Roy was humble and exceedingly generous. One of his last acts on earth was to be the signature donor to the charity event honoring Reagan and Jax, “generous to the end”, as his son-in-law said. All who knew him admired his devotion to both his family and his faith which was always on display through his actions rather than words.
Roy’s devotion to his family, especially his wife, was unmatched. He was at endless sporting events, plays, concerts, and award ceremonies for his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. His family was his favorite hobby.
He was preceded in death by his parents Russell and Mae (Cobble) Card, his siblings, Selma McElhaney, Betty Bracken, Ruth Pickett and Lewis Card, Sr., his wife, Virginia Elizabeth (Cade) Card, his daughter, Renee Card Monroe, and his great-grandchildren, Reagan Elizabeth and Jaxson “Jax” Stephen Cohen.
Roy is survived by his two sons and daughter-in-laws, Brian and Terry Card (Chattanooga) and Brad & Paula Card (Hixson), his son-in-law, Charles Monroe (Ringgold), his grandchildren, Tiffany (Keith) Askew of Apison, Rachel (Brian) Cohen of Syosset, NY, Zach (Emily) Monroe of Ooltewah, Lucas (Kelly) Monroe of Ooltewah, Hannah (Matt) Davis of Hixson, Will (Mwende) Card of Chattanooga, Alex Card of Chattanooga, Andrew (Allie) Card of Chattanooga, Laurel Card of Nashville, and sixteen great-grandchildren.
The family would like to especially thank Mary Katherine Brooks for her 16 years of dedicated care to both Roy and Virginia.
A Celebration of Roy’s Life will be held on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 1 p.m. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 4-8 p.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel. He will be laid to rest with his beloved wife, Virginia in the Hamilton Memorial Gardens immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Roy’s memory can be made to First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1505 North Moore Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37411.
Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.