Roy "Talmage" Upchurch
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Roy "Talmage" Upchurch joined his Savior peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday June 8, 2022. Talmage spent his life serving the Lord, family and his community. He is survived by his wife, Naomi Upchurch; daughter, Sheree Sutton (Gary) and son, Brent Upchurch (Shawnna); grandchildren Jordan Sutton, Chelsea Sutton, Tyler Sutton, Dalton Upchurch and Delaney Upchurch; great-grandchildren Grace, Eden, Judah and Bjorn; and brother Billy Upchurch (Lydia).
Talmage was born in the small community of Bazette, Texas, south of Dallas, in 1930. Upon high school graduating as valedictorian of his high school, he moved to the big city of Dallas to pursue his education and a career in music. He was a member of the Dudley M. Hughes Quartet performing regularly on the radio and TV. His love for music led him to take organ lessons from Naomi Faust, a beautiful and accomplished young piano and organ teacher. The two quickly fell in love and began a fairy tale romance and marriage of love, family, music, ministry and worship for the next 68 years.
He held down numerous jobs while working his way through an undergraduate degree in Music and Education at Southern Methodist University and subsequently received his Masters in Administration from the University of North Texas.
Talmage was an educator, minister and entrepreneur simultaneously. He served as the Minister of Music at Oak Cliff Assembly of God for over 35 years, while also becoming a DISD school principal, as well as being involved in the real estate business. He was an extraordinarily hard-working man yet had time to show love to all of those who crossed his path.
He was the first up from the table to do the dishes, the first to arrive at his school, and was always prepared on time and ready for worship services.
As a school principal, his teachers would proclaim that they worked harder for Mr. Upchurch than "any other" because he worked directly beside them to accomplish any and every task. From cleaning the school grounds to being the first to arrive, he set an example to be followed.
Directing the church choir and ministering at the church along with his beloved Naomi were the center of their lives together, second only to his family. In the 60's, 70's and 80's, his choir was one of the very largest in Dallas producing multiple record albums and performing many Christmas and Easter presentations. As a DISD teacher he directed a number of musicals including The Music Man and Carousell, two of his favorites.
He loved yard work and maintained his own 1-acre yard with beautiful flowers up until 90 years old. He was always smiling and enjoyed spending time with people. He greatly enjoyed playing board games and loved outdoor activities. He could still best all the young people in the family in a game of croquet until his 90th birthday.
Talmage spent enormous amounts of meaningful time with his children and grandchildren. He, Naomi, Sheree and Brent enjoyed many summers traveling the U.S. in their pop-up camper trailer sightseeing, laughing and loving each other. His grandchildren were the absolute joy of his life, and he had plenty of time and energy to spend with them having taken early retirement from DISD. He would indulge Jordan, Chelsea, Tyler, Dalton and Delaney with any and every kind of imaginary game, board game or simply throwing balls around. He was at virtually every grandchild's sporting events or recitals (and many events for his great-grandchildren). And he always had time to pray and share his love for God with each child.
Talmage Upchurch carried the heart of a pastor in every sense of the word. He loved and cared for "all" in his life through his faithful presence and listening ear, whether ministering in the church, leading choir and worship, teaching school, working as a principal, or serving in the Adult Sunday School Class of Dallas. He truly cared for people and lovingly led them towards God. His thoughtfulness and considerate, humble approach to life blessed and impacted all those whom he came into contact with, His faith and love were an encouragement to his entire family and to all who knew him.
Funeral Service is 3:00 PM Friday, June 17, 2022 at Jaynes Memorial Chapel in Duncanville, Texas. The family will receive friends from 2pm-3pm, prior to the service. Graveside will follow at 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Prairie Point Cemetery in Bazette, Texas.