Roy A. McCulley; Tackle Shop Owner

Roy A. McCulley, a former snack bar and tackle shop owner, died Tuesday after a long battle with leukemia. He was 89.

McCulley was born in Ventura on March 17, 1911, to Phillip and Maude Gertrude McCulley. His father was a carpenter who became a rancher after moving his family to Orland in 1927.

McCulley worked for the railroads until the Depression and then worked at Hearst Castle as a handyman.

During World War II, he was an electrician at the Port Hueneme Naval Construction Battalion Center.

After the war, he designed, built and operated the Sea View Cafe, a combination snack bar and bait and tackle shop on the Ventura Pier. He also ran the snack bar and rental shop at Ventura State Beach Park.

In the 1960s, he and his wife Cecelia retired from their businesses and moved to Julian, where he built a house.

In 1976, they moved to San Marcos, then moved back to Ventura in early 1997.

McCulley was an avid gardener, a master builder, electrician, wood carver and an expert at stained glass work.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Cecilia, and his brother, Charles “Mac” McCulley.

He is survived by his son, Everett of Ventura; two daughters, Barbara Huskey of Ventura and Carol Smaniotto of Santa Barbara; a sister, Viola Walker of Tehachapi; a brother, Harold McCulley of Ventura; and 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

A graveside service is scheduled at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura with Dr. Leonard DeWitt officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Charles Carroll Funeral Home in Ventura.