FORT WORTH – Royce Thomas Huffman, “Big Daddy,” went home to Heaven on June 9, 2026. He passed away in his favorite place on earth, his home in Fort Worth, Texas, surrounded by the family he loved so dearly. Royce was born on April 15, 1951, in Galveston, Texas, to Helen and Alec James Huffman. He grew up in La Marque alongside his two older brothers, Kenneth and Stephen, where he first made his mark as a standout punter and quarterback for the La Marque Tigers. An Eagle Scout, Royce carried the values, character, and friendships of scouting with him throughout his life. In 1969, Royce’s dream came true when he enrolled at Texas Christian University to play football at the same university his father and brothers had attended. At TCU, Royce was a proud member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and was grateful for the summer jobs provided by generous TCU alumni, a kindness he would later repay many times over to countless TCU athletes and students. TCU gave Royce much of what he cherished most in life. It gave him the opportunity to play in Amon G. Carter Stadium, just as his father had done before him. It gave him lifelong friendships that remained important to him until his final days. Most importantly, it led him to the love of his life. In the fall of 1973, Royce met Debbie LaGrange, a farmer’s daughter from Rio Grande City, Texas. He spotted her at an intramural volleyball game and quickly worked his connections in the Delta Gamma house to arrange an introduction. Royce and Debbie were married on April 12, 1975, in the TCU Chapel, with a rehearsal dinner at Joe T. Garcia’s and a reception at Shady Oaks Country Club. After graduation, Royce and Debbie moved to Houston and built a life rooted in faith, family, hard work, and entrepreneurship. Royce began his career as an orthopedic sales representative for Zimmer. After consistently exceeding expectations, he was recruited by a startup company called Biomet and became one of its original distributors in Texas. Covering the entire state, Royce built a highly successful business and earned national recognition year after year as one of the company’s top distributors. As proud as he was of his professional accomplishments, nothing compared to the pride he felt for his family. Royce and Debbie raised three sons, Royce, Scott, and Chad, who were the center of their world. Royce poured his heart into being a father and took immense pride in watching his boys grow into men. He loved coaching them, encouraging them, supporting them, and cheering them on in everything they pursued. Sports were a special bond within the Huffman family. Royce II played football and baseball at TCU and was inducted into the TCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010. After college, he was drafted by the Houston Astros and enjoyed an 11-year professional baseball career. Scott played football and baseball at Rice University, and Chad played football and baseball at TCU before going on to play Major League Baseball with the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals. While these accomplishments brought Royce tremendous joy, what mattered most to him was seeing his sons’ become men of character and integrity. Royce and Debbie never missed a game. No matter where their boys were playing, they found a way to be there. Family always came first. Royce was an all-in father, but he also dedicated his time to serving others. He helped establish the charter for Quail Valley Little League and served on numerous boards, including Sweetwater Country Club, the Missouri City Parks Board, and the TCU Lettermen’s Association. He was also a devoted member of the Touchdown Club of Houston, an organization dedicated to honoring and promoting Houston area high school coaches and athletes. Royce served on its board for more than 30 years and proudly served as president in 2019 and 2020. Royce treasured his time at the family lake house in Horseshoe Bay. It was there that friends and family from every generation got to know the real Big Daddy. He was always the first one awake in the morning and somehow the last one to bed at night. Whether he was telling stories, making people laugh, pulling someone onto the boat, or turning up the music, Royce had a way of making every gathering more memorable. He loved all kinds of music, from Motown and ZZ Top to classic country. In recent years, Royce found his greatest joy in his grandchildren. Royce III (Trace), Presley, Scotty, Alec, Hadley, and Hudson each shared a special bond with Big Daddy. He would drop everything to spend time with them. No matter their age or what they needed, he was always there. His love, values, and spirit live on in each of them and will continue to do so for generations to come. If you were lucky enough to know Big Daddy, you knew there was always room for one more at the table, one more seat on the boat, and one more story to tell. Royce had a gift for making people feel like family. There was never a place he went where he did not run into someone he knew or make a new friend. Everyone knew Big Daddy, and everyone had a story about him. His legacy lives on through the countless people he helped, mentored, encouraged, and made laugh throughout his life. Above all else, Royce loved God. On September 22, 2019, he reaffirmed his faith through baptism at his home in Missouri City. He and Debbie shared countless mornings and evenings praying together and reading devotionals. Those quiet moments strengthened his faith and deepened the foundation of their marriage. Royce was, and always will be, the one and only Big Daddy. Royce was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Alec James Huffman of La Marque; his mother and father-in-law, Frances and Edwin LaGrange; and his brother-in-law, Ross LaGrange. Royce is survived by the love of his life, Debbie Huffman; his three sons and their families: Royce and Haylie Huffman of Missouri City and their children, Royce III (Trace) and Presley; Scott and Melissa Huffman of Fort Worth and their children, Scotty and Alec; and Chad and Alex Huffman of Fort Worth and their children, Hadley and Hudson. He is also survived by his brothers and their wives, Kenneth and Jeanie Huffman of Fort Worth, and Stephen and Katy Huffman of Lago Vista, Texas. Please join us in celebrating the life of Royce Huffman on June 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Christ Chapel Bible Church, followed by a reception at 5:00 p.m. at the TCU Champions Club at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Christ Chapel Bible Church – Fort Worth Campus 3701 Birchman Avenue Fort Worth, TX 76107 TCU Champions Club at Amon G. Carter Stadium 2850 Stadium Drive Fort Worth, TX 76109 Parking will be available in Lots 1 and 2. GREENWOOD FUNERAL HOME Greenwood Funeral Homes – Cremation 3344 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth, TX 76107 817-336-0584

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