Roy Angus Steel III

Richmond Hill

Roy A. Steel, born on October 16, 1953, age 68, peacefully passed away early Wednesday morning, October 12, 2022, at Hospice Savannah House, of congestive heart failure.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he was the son of the late Roy A. Steel, Jr. and the late Bernice Ruth (Sargent) Steel of Dunwoody, Georgia. Due to his lifelong struggle with deep depression and anxiety, Roy dropped out of school in ninth grade, earned his GED, and later graduated cum laude from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics. He was a member of Sigma Pi Sigma and The Gamma Beta Phi Society for his scholastic achievement.

Roy's work history included McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing), Janus Research, etc. He loved challenges in his career and succeeded in developing advanced computer programs. He was proud of his contributions to some of the advanced weapons systems that were used in Desert Storm. Several scientific magazines mentioned Roy's accomplishments. He particularly enjoyed artificial intelligence. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed canoeing, fishing, and camping. Roy found peace in nature.

He was a member of Crystal Cove Ministries in Cumming, Georgia, where he lived on Lake Lanier prior to relocating in 2014, to live near his sister and brother-in-law in Richmond Hill. Since age 8, Roy has owned a black lab—Lad, Rastus, Jason, Pogo, and Top. Divorced twice, his dogs were always a comfort to overcome loneliness.

In addition to his parents, Roy was preceded in death by his cousin and best friend from childhood, Bobby Landrum, of Smyrna, GA.

Survivors include his sister Elizabeth Lee Ergle (Ken) of Richmond Hill, GA, and brother George Steel (Carole) of Alpharetta, GA. His nephews include Brian Ergle (Liz) of Marietta, GA, Nick Ergle (Anna Grace) of Acworth, GA, and Matthew Steel of Austin, TX. His nieces include Rachel Steel Dekoning (Derek) of Sandy Springs, GA and Nicole Steel of Pooler, GA.

Buried near his parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles, the graveside service was held Sunday afternoon, October 16, 2022, at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, GA. Leading the service were his former pastor Randy Grimes, church members Priscilla Pruitt, Bob McKenna, Donna McKenna, and brother-in-law Ken Ergle. Vocalists were Priscilla Pruitt and Heather Pruitt.

Special thanks to Dr. Regina Dandy, and all the caregivers who have helped Roy since 2018: Most notably, Lauren Smith and Eleasha Weddle of Georgia Living at Home, as well as Becky Harden, Stacey Lesh, and Cindy Udinsky. Thank you to Adam Taylor, Robert Todd, and Careen at Legacy in Savannah Quarters. Special thanks also to Hayley, Krista, Sherry, and Dennis at GHC Hospice, who cared for and ministered to Roy since September 2021.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made in Roy's honor to GHC Hospice, located at 7130 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Suite 201, Savannah, GA 31406.