Roy Gene Colum, Sr., age 91, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. He was born August 6, 1934, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of Elbert Alexander Colum, Sr. and Melinda Amanda Mae Smith Pigford. Roy graduated from the Ft. Scott High School and then went on to serve with the United States Navy from 1952-1956.
Roy was united in marriage to Kathleen Young on December 12, 1952. He was stationed in San Diego and upon completing his military service, he decided to remain in that area. He took a job with the City of San Diego where he worked for the City of San Diego Park and Recreation and Street Division. After many years, he retired from the City and began working for both Avis and Hertz rental car companies.
Roy enjoyed watching the news, keeping up with current events. Following retirement, he took a “part-time” position with the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, a San Diego newspaper. In earlier years, he enjoyed bowling and playing softball. He enjoyed sports of all kinds and was a great fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Roy and Kathleen later returned to Ft. Scott where they have made their home for the last several years. While living in Ft. Scott, Roy took an active role in sharing studying Ft. Scott history and family genealogy. In preparation for the annual Gordon Parks Celebration, he was often called upon to identify people and places surrounding Ft. Scott’s African American community. Roy loved life and his family. He worked hard to provide for his family and faithfully cared for his wife as their health declined. Roy has left a legacy of hard work and perseverance and a strong family who will carry on in the days ahead.
Survivors include his wife, Kathleen, of the home in Ft. Scott and five children, Roy Gene Colum, Jr., Kimberly Joyce Colum-Wright, Byron Arthur Colum, Larren Scott Colum and April G. Davis. Also surviving are a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and Great Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Elbert A. Colum, Sr., his mother, Melinda Amanda Mae Pigford and his brother, Elbert A. Colum, Jr.
There was cremation, and he will eventually be laid to rest at the Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.