Roy John "Gabby" Messex, 87, died January 22, 2010 at Lafayette General Medical Center, Lafayette, Louisiana. He was born January 12, 1923 at Minneapolis, Kansas, the son of Roy Bryant and Grace Maude (Travis) Messex. The Messex family moved to Hoisington, Kansas, in 1937 and after school, Gabby enlisted in the Army and was in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He drove the fuel and ammunition trucks in the Red Ball Express for Patton Tanks. He returned to Hoisington and married Sophia Alexander and began raising his family. He worked in the oilfields as a driller for many years in Kansas, Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. In Louisiana, he worked for Zapata Dredging Company as an engineer. He retired in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, where he resided for forty-three years until his death. Mr. Messex was known to his family and friends as "Gabby," and was a great conversationalist and story teller all of his life. He always had a generous spirit and was a friend to all. He was a man of nine lives, doing hazardous duties in the war and in the oilfield including being blown off an oil rig during an explosion which killed many. Mr. Messex was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He loved to hunt, fish, and visit family and friends. He loved to cook and his family loved for him to cook his famous "Louisiana Gumbo." Gabby was a favorite and well-loved uncle to his nieces and nephews and will be dearly missed. Survivors include Peggy Holmes, his dear friend and care taker for twenty-one years, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana; two sons: Dennis Messex, Pflugerville, Texas; and Roy Bryne Messex, Oklahoma; one sister: Opal McCutchan, Aransas Pass, Texas; one grandson: Dennis Messex and wife, Michelle, Granger, Texas; three great-grandchildren: Kirsten, Wyatt, and Audrey Messex, Granger, Texas; nieces and nephews: Junior Ogle, Great Bend, Kansas; Charlie Ogle and Linda Linsner, both of Hoisington, Kansas; Morris McCutchan, Mulberry, Arkansas; Marian McCutchan, Aransas Pass, Texas; and Shirley Moses, Katy, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Hiram R. Messex; and two sisters, Edith M. Ogle and Winifred Ann "Susie" Messex. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 30, 2010 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. The Reverend Dick Ogle will officiate. Burial will be in Hoisington Cemetery with mil,itary honors by American Legion Post #286 and VFW Post #7428.. Friends may call from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 29, 2010 and 9:00 a.m. to service time, Saturday, at the funeral home.