Bonham, Texas -- Roy E. Renfro Jr., 79, of Pottsboro, Texas, passed away on August 7, 2025, in Denison. He was born in Sherman, Texas, in 1945 to Roy E. Renfro Sr. and Evelyn Inez Renfro.
Roy spent his early years in Lannius, Texas, attending a two-room schoolhouse, and later graduated from Dodd City High School in 1963. He went on to earn his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from East Texas State University, with additional graduate study at the University of Kentucky.
Roy devoted his life to education, serving at Grayson County College for 40 years. He began as an agriculture instructor and retired as Vice President in charge of the Grayson County College Foundation. His leadership and dedication left an immeasurable impact on the lives of countless students.
An accomplished author, his works include Grape Man of Texas (with Sherrie McLeRoy), which won the Gourmand Best Wine History Book in the World in 2004, Renfro Revelations and Relations, Dr. Crossroads, The Correspondence of T.V. Munson with the United States Department of Agriculture, and The Native Grapes of Barren County, Kentucky. His passion for history and heritage led him to play a key role in establishing the Sister Cities arrangement between Denison, Texas, and Cognac, France, as well as in the renovation of the T.V. Munson House in Denison.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Roy was a man of many talents and interests. He enjoyed photography, painting, cooking, and working the family farm in Fannin County.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Helen; sons Ed and Nathan; daughter-in-law Annie; and grandchildren Grant, Whitney, Catherine, and Ryan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Sr. and Evelyn Renfro.
Funeral services will be held Monday, August 11, at 2:00 p.m. at Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home in Bonham, Texas, with a brief visitation beforehand. Interment will follow at Dodd City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grayson College.
Serving as pallbearers: Grant Renfro, Mike Horton, Josh Horton, Dale Horton, Jackie Taylor, and Craig Taylor.
Roy will be remembered for his dedication, his curiosity, and his enduring contributions to education and community.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.coopersorrells.com
