Remembering the Elvis-Loving Dad Who Left a Lasting Legacy
The loss of a beloved family member is always difficult, but for one family from Telford, the absence of their dad and grandad, affectionately known as 'Elvis', is especially poignant. Elvis, or Roy Owen-Jones, passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 82, after a battle with kidney problems.
Darren, Elvis' son, shares his grief and the family's journey through the holidays without their beloved father. "It will be strange this Christmas without him," he says. "All the big occasions without him for the first time have been tough. My mum and dad were together for 55 years, so it has been extremely difficult for her. She misses him a lot and is just trying to get through day by day."
But the family found a way to honor Elvis' memory and support a good cause. In March, Darren and his daughter, Megan, transformed themselves into Elvis impersonators and ran the Ironbridge Half Marathon, raising over £1,000 for kidney research. "After Dad died, we wanted to give something back to help improve treatments for other patients," Darren explains. "My daughter and I are both runners, and she suggested we take part in the half marathon for Kidney Research UK."
The family's Elvis-inspired fundraiser was a unique way to celebrate Elvis' love for 'The King of Rock 'n' Roll'. "We wanted to make the challenge personal, so we decided to dress up as Elvis," Darren says. "Dad was obsessed with him and thought he looked similar - even though he didn't! He copied the famous hairstyle, dying his hair jet back, and dressed flamboyantly. He owned loads of Elvis memorabilia, and we had plenty of Elvis-related tributes at his funeral."
The fancy dress made the run a little trickier, but the family's dedication to Elvis and their desire to help others made it all worthwhile. "It was amazing to receive so much support and raise the amount we did," Darren says. "We wanted to make a difference in his memory, and I think we did that."
But the family's story doesn't end there. Roy Owen-Jones' kidney problems began in the mid-1990s when he needed to have one kidney removed due to damage from childhood. His kidney health worsened in the mid-2000s when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and emphysema. "Dad was a very proud man and wouldn't accept much help from others as his health deteriorated," Darren says. "He didn't like speaking about it and kept a lot of details private, even from me and my mum."
The family's experience highlights the importance of kidney health and the need for continued research. "He had kidney stones but didn't tell anyone until he collapsed with a blockage in his kidney," Darren says. "He spent three months in hospital before he died. It was hard seeing him suffer. Doctors tried multiple operations but couldn't save his life."
As the family continues to grieve and support each other, they also invite others to join them in honoring Elvis' memory and supporting kidney research. "We wanted to make a difference in his memory, and I think we did that," Darren says. "We hope that by sharing our story, we can raise awareness and funds for kidney research."
So, as the holidays approach, let's remember Elvis and the family's dedication to making a difference. "It will be strange this Christmas without him," Darren says. "But we'll be together, supporting each other through it. And we'll keep his memory alive by continuing to support kidney research and making a difference in his honor."
And this is the part most people miss: the power of a family's love and the impact of a single person's legacy. So, let's not miss the opportunity to honor Elvis and support a cause that can make a difference in someone's life. Let's make a difference in his memory.
