Roy
Roy Arzaga Sosa
Roy Arzaga Sosa, 92, of Scottsdale, Arizona, died 26 June 2023 at home surrounded by family and friends after hard-fought battle with cancer. He was born 5 September 1930 in Christmas, Arizona, to Manuel and Genara Arzaga Sosa. Roy grew up in Winkleman, Arizona, was an altar boy at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, and graduated from Hayden High School in 1950.
He enlisted in the Navy, served on the USS Telfair, and was a veteran of the Korean War. After he was discharged in 1952, he briefly attended the University of Arizona in Tucson. Roy then worked for the United States Postal Service in Washington, D.C. before returning to Arizona to finish his Bachelor’s degree at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. After earning his Master’s degree in education, he went to work teaching in Springerville, Arizona.
He came to the Phoenix area to continue his education in administration at Arizona State University while working as a teacher in the Phoenix Elementary School District #1. While there, he was a driving force in getting the school district to unionize. He retired as the principal of both Adeline Gray and Silvestre S. Herrera Elementary Schools in Phoenix.
Roy loved to be around his family and friends. He loved to dance, travel, read, collect stamps, do genealogy, and go to the movies. He also enjoyed painting and drawing as well as making and decorating bird houses. Roy was so proud to be “Papa” to his granddaughters and “Tata” to his great-grandson. He was their favorite person and has been a constant presence in their lives.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents; brothers David, Manuel, Jr., and Robert; and sisters Mary and baby Margaret. He is survived by his son Christopher Sosa; granddaughters Katarina and Alisha; great-grandson Toby; sister Margaret Florez; brother Richard; many nephews, nieces, and friends.
Services will be held Thursday, 13 July 2023 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85018, with viewing beginning at 10:00 a.m., Rosary at 11:00 a.m., and Mass at 11:30 a.m. Roy will then be cremated and laid to rest at a later date at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery next to his brother and parents. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
He enlisted in the Navy, served on the USS Telfair, and was a veteran of the Korean War. After he was discharged in 1952, he briefly attended the University of Arizona in Tucson. Roy then worked for the United States Postal Service in Washington, D.C. before returning to Arizona to finish his Bachelor’s degree at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. After earning his Master’s degree in education, he went to work teaching in Springerville, Arizona.
He came to the Phoenix area to continue his education in administration at Arizona State University while working as a teacher in the Phoenix Elementary School District #1. While there, he was a driving force in getting the school district to unionize. He retired as the principal of both Adeline Gray and Silvestre S. Herrera Elementary Schools in Phoenix.
Roy loved to be around his family and friends. He loved to dance, travel, read, collect stamps, do genealogy, and go to the movies. He also enjoyed painting and drawing as well as making and decorating bird houses. Roy was so proud to be “Papa” to his granddaughters and “Tata” to his great-grandson. He was their favorite person and has been a constant presence in their lives.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents; brothers David, Manuel, Jr., and Robert; and sisters Mary and baby Margaret. He is survived by his son Christopher Sosa; granddaughters Katarina and Alisha; great-grandson Toby; sister Margaret Florez; brother Richard; many nephews, nieces, and friends.
Services will be held Thursday, 13 July 2023 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85018, with viewing beginning at 10:00 a.m., Rosary at 11:00 a.m., and Mass at 11:30 a.m. Roy will then be cremated and laid to rest at a later date at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery next to his brother and parents. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
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