Credit: Inside the MagicA 90-year-old man known as “Pop,” who became famous on TikTok with the help of his grandson, has died following complications with a mass in his throat.
Who is “Pop?”
Pop, as he was known to his more than six million fans online, was known by his friends and family as Joe Mack Roy of Longview, Texas, a city located approximately 130 miles east of Dallas.
Mr. Roy served in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico. While there, he met his future wife, whom he married in 1955. The couple then returned to Longview, Texas, where they raised their two sons, Billy and David.
He had three grandchildren and one great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews as well.
“Pop” Takes the Internet By Storm
“Pop” became an internet sensation when his grandson Jason decided to start a Facebook page in 2017 to share his grandfather’s quirky sayings, snarky wit, and many preferences and aversions.
Soon Pop was famous on TikTok as Jason shared the video clips and reels he made during his time with his grandfather. The clips usually included conversations between Jason and his grandfather, trips around town to run errands or eat lunch, and, occasionally, some colorful language from Pop.
There was one particular colorful word that Pop seemed to prefer over any other four-letter word, and he used it often, especially if he was told something that he didn’t agree with, didn’t like, or didn’t believe.
Since 2017, Pop’s global social media fanbase has grown to include more than six million fans, and videos of Pop have been viewed nearly seven billion times.
Pop Was Particular About a Few Things
There were several things that Pop loved–and a few things he didn’t want to hear about at all, and most of his fans were familiar with Pop’s preferences, as well as his aversions.
When it came to college football and the NFL, Pop had his favorite teams. Don’t be fooled, though. Pop lived in East Texas, but that didn’t mean he wanted anything to do with the Aggies at Texas A&M, the Longhorns from the University of Texas, or either of Texas’s NFL teams–the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans.
No, Pop was a diehard Alabama fan, and he stuck by his team no matter what.
@popwatchtexas “always talking more sh*t about your Dallas Cowboys!” #popwatch #popwatchonfb #jasonroytexas #fyp #viralvideo #viraltiktok ♬ original sound – POP WATCH
Pop was also extremely particular about food, and he didn’t like to eat chicken of any kind—whether from Cane’s, Chick-fil-A, or another fast-food establishment.
On one occasion, however, his grandson Jason was able to get him to enjoy some chicken nuggets from Wendy’s—simply because he didn’t know they were chicken.
@popwatchtexas Look at Pop’s face when i hand him the sheets of paper! 🤣 Remember he can’t stand chicken! But that doesn’t mean he can’t enjoy some nuggies if he doesn’t know what they are! Haha! And he LOVES them! At least from Wendy’s! (This is a new thing) #popwatch #popwatchtexas #jasonroytexas #fyp ♬ original sound – POP WATCH
Pop was loved by his fans all over the world, and he had such a following that his grandson often took him to the post office to check his P.O. box for mail from fans.
He also had numerous requests for autographs, and Pop and Jason often drove to pick up photos they ordered that Pop signed and gave away to fans.
@popwatchtexas Got Pop out today for some hot dogs and to pic up his autograph cards to send fans on our merchandise site that we donate all proceeds to charity! Stay tuned for a link! #fyp #jasonroytexas #popwatchtexas #popwatch ♬ The Oogum Boogum Song – Brenton Wood
“Pop” Will Be Missed Very Much
His obituary notes his role as “Pop” online and honors his time in the United States Air Force.
Joe Mack Roy, better known to the world as “Pop” from “Pop Watch” went to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday, August 21, 2024. He was 90 years old.
Roy was born on Oct. 10, 1933, to his parents, Ewart J. Roy and Mary F. Harley.
He was raised in Longview, Texas, and attended Spring Hill ISD. After high school, Roy joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico. There, he met the love of his life, Maria, and the couple wed in 1955, and returned to Longview where they would have two sons, Billy and David (Kurt).In his spare time, he enjoyed sitting on the front porch and waving at those passing by, riding around with his grandson, fishing, gardening, and watching his grandchildren’s sporting events at Spring Hill.
Roy is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Richard Roy; his son, Kurt, and his aunt and uncle, Q.D. and Allie Spillyards.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Maria Roy, and their son, Billy; his grandchildren Jason Roy, of Longview; Reagan Roy-Young and her husband, Jared Young, of Tyler; Andrea Roy, of Frisco; his great-grandson, Conner Roy, also of Longview; and his daughter-in-law, Frances Roy, also of Frisco; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Pop’s funeral was held on Wednesday, August 28, at Elmira Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Longview, Texas.
Though he could be a little cranky and occasionally foul-mouthed, Joe Mack Roy, lovingly known as simply “Pop,” will be dearly missed by his family, his friends, and the millions of fans he amassed over the years.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Pop’s family in their time of loss.