Chris Rovillo: 1951 - 2010

Earl Christian “Chris” Rovillo was born in Dallas March 22, 1951. On January 5, 1974 at the age of 22 he married his college sweetheart and the love of his life, Eugenia “Jeane” Dabney Gano Rovillo. Witty and well-mannered, his gift with words was equally matched by his talent as a graphic artist who achieved national renown. Chris touched many lives during his distinguished design career. He began as an accomplished art director at Neiman Marcus, moved to the Bloom Agency and later was a principal for the design arm of the Richards Group before founding Rovillo Design Associates in 1990. As a faculty member of the graphic design departments of the University of North Texas and Texas A&M, Commerce, Chris continued to inspire and share his gift with students who would later start careers in the design world. Chris was both an inspired professional and an inspiration to others. A former president of the Dallas Society of Visual Communications, Chris received that organization’s highest honor, the Golden Egg award for lifetime achievement. His great talent has been recognized repeatedly by national and international creative organizations, and he served as an invited judge in graphic design competitions throughout the country. But his deeper work was growing in humanity, practical wisdom, and love through years of life with Jeane, with his family, and with his many friends, who cherished his unique good humor and the pleasures of his company. Lighthearted despite the heavy burdens of ill health, Chris was a joy to know, and he will remain a joy in memory. He lives in the hearts of all who loved him. Chris is survived by his wife, Jeane, and by their son, Austin Rovillo, and daughter and son-in-law, Amy Rovillo Nelson and Terry Nelson, all of Dallas.

He is also survived by his mother Virginia Ann Elliot Crews of Dallas, his sister, Andrea Rovillo of Dallas, and his grandchildren, Hope and Trae Nelson. He is predeceased by his father, Earl Cecil Rovillo III.

Chris was a member of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, and a founder of the SMAA Communications Committee in 1992, at the request of the rector and vestry. Over 18 subsequent years, Chris was the heart of the committee, donating hours of time and skills; colleagues cannot remember a single “no” Chris ever said to an SMAA project. Together with Jeane, they taught Sunday school for ten years and Chris loved playing his guitar in class. As a volunteer, he designed the official Saint Michael seal, the stationery, the newsletter, all room signage in the church, the SMAA Foundation logo, stationery and brochures, a book published to commemorate the church’s 50th anniversary, multiple brochures, materials for Stewardship campaigns, logos for Pastoral Care, Spreading Our Wings, the Angel Run, and others, along with countless banners and other design projects; in addition he also created the slogan “We Are Jubilee,” an important motto for the Jubilee neighborhood in South Dallas—all of them undertaken in love, with humility, and bringing the excellence that was constant both in his work and in his character.

However soft spoken he was in church, Chris was outspoken on lead guitar with the Fabulous Fuzztones. The iconic band of music loving graphic designers rocked countless design and fund-raising events for clients and charitable organizations over the past 23 years, including multiple national AIGA conferences, nine Park Cities Design conferences and countless DSVC events.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 31st at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 8011 Douglas Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75225. The family requests that any memorial donations be made to The Kidney Cancer Association or charity of your choice. The body was beset with difficulties, but Chris had great spirit, and he has it still.

A special mass will be held in honor of Chris Rovillo
at the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris
on Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.