Roy Wellman Jr., 89

Roy Wellman Jr., 89, passed away at North Idaho Hospice on Aug. 3, 2024. Roy was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, on Aug. 24, 1934.

After graduating from high school in Seattle, Wash., he attended Washington State University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in business while lettering in gymnastics. After graduating from college, he took a position at the Goodyear company, where he worked at the Coeur d'Alene store. It was during this time that he met Kathryn Hagadone, the love of his life. Before marrying Kay, he completed a two-year ROTC training program in Georgia as a 2nd Lieutenant. After finishing training and before reporting for duty, he and Kay got married in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Shortly after their wedding, they moved to Columbia, S.C., where Roy was stationed. This is where they started their family and welcomed twin daughters. Together, they raised four loving children. After Roy was discharged from the Army, he began his career with the Hagadone Newspaper Division.

Through hard work, determination, dedication and leadership skills, he climbed the corporate ladder, starting as a classified ad sales manager in Santa Maria, Calif. In 1962, he was promoted to the CDA Press as an advertising manager. In 1965, he was promoted to publisher of the Dalles Chronicle in The Dalles, Ore. Then, a year later, in 1967, he was named publisher of the Columbia Basin Herald in Moses Lake, Wash. Three years later, his talents were put to work as the publisher of the Beloit Daily News in Wisconsin. After working as the publisher of the CDA Press, he was tasked with developing a new training company within the Hagadone Newspaper Division. Once the program was successfully established, he moved on to become the publisher of the Kalispell Daily Inter Lake. He is known for leaving each newspaper in a better state than when he arrived. In 1991, he was appointed as president of the Northwest Newspaper Division, and in 1994, he became president of the Hagadone Communications Division. He worked there until his retirement in 2000. After retiring, he and his wife enjoyed traveling, golf, tennis and time with family and friends.

Roy was a devoted and loving husband to his wife for 64 years and to their four children. With his infectious, driving, loyal personality, he was adored by many.

He is survived by his children: Jodi Lauper (Glenn), Jill Fryman (Michael), Jeff Wellman (Tracey) and Scott Wellman (Lisa). Additionally, he is survived by five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and his sister-in-law, Joany Kellner.

Roy was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Wellman, parents Roy Wellman Sr. and Thelma, sister Patty McAfee, and brothers-in-law Bill McAfee, Duane Hagadone and David Kellner.

A small, intimate family celebration of life will take place at the end of August 2024.