Roy Francis Battle

Roy Francis Battle
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Roy Francis Battle

FISHERSVILLE - Roy Francis Battle, 77, of 10 Pambrook Drive, who spent a lifetime serving as a mentor to youths and young adults as a guidance counselor, dean and coach at schools across the country, died Sunday (March 14, 2004) after fighting cancer for a decade.

A graduate of Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tenn., Battle headed the physical-education department at Columbia Union College in Tacoma Park, Md. During his tenure, which began in 1955, he founded the gymnastics program at the school.The team performed in the Washington, D.C., area.He also founded the Capitol Boys Club and the Capitol Girls Club, which are still in operation today.

While working on his masters degree, which he evenutally received from Andrews University in 1968, Battle spend eight years as a resident dean at Seventh-day Adventist boarding schools and colleges across the country.

He was a guidance counselor, director of student activities and trips coordinator at Collegedale Academy in Collegedale, Tenn.He spearheaded an initiative to begin Alumni Weekend at the school.He also started campouts, icebreaker events and retreats for juniors and seniors.

Under his coordination, students traveled to Colorado for skiing, to Mexico to improve Spanish skills.He was co-founder of the summer softball league, for which he was the commissioner for 13 years.When he retired in 1988, he was know as "Mr.CA" and the softball field was named "Battle Field."

He continued to plan senior-class trips and music-department performancs until he and his wife moved to Virginia in 1996.

Born on Oct. 15, 1926, in Lake Wales, Fla., Battle was the youngest of four children.