"Vera Mae Evans was born in St. Andrews, Florida, March 19, 1913.During her teens, the family relocated to Columbus, Georgia, the home of Ft. Benning, Georgia. My parents met at the Officers' Club at Benning. Mother was a stunning beauty with long, silky dark brown hair and a Julia Robert's smile, Mother was a true southern belle. The night my parents met, mother wore a white chiffon dress with fragile gardenias in her hair. My father was handsome, too. They both had movie star looks and they fell madly in love" (Roy Family).
Their romance quickly escalated and they were married on September 26, 1942. Richard and his lovely southern wife had only one child, a daughter, Patricia Anne O’Malley. She was born on July 11, 1943.
"My father was highly decorated. But I think my mother should have gotten some medals, too. She was brave, loyal and dedicated torearing me. I think she did a great job" (Roy Family)
Kingston During the War
Richard's home town in Luzerne County was certainly an interesting place. Historically it was a booming mining town, like all towns they adapted to the demands of World War II. Interestingly, In the "1930's more than half of the population was under twenty years of age and many families consisted of 14 to 16 people" so there must have been a large amount of servicemen. (The Histories and Our Memories of Swoyersville Borough).