It’s hard to describe my relationship with Pop with just one memory, so I’ll sum him up in one thought:

Roger(Pop) loved me unconditionally from the moment Jeremy became my brother-in-law. He encouraged me to be who I am as long as I put God first in everything. He cheered for me, encouraged me, most of all understood me, and was a father figure I dearly loved! I will miss the special chocolate pies he made us, the sideways glances when he had an inside joke in his head, and his precious hugs. I love you Pop! Your legacy will live on through the lives you have touched!

Jeremy was building his dream house in 2010 and my youngest son, Thomas and I headed to Eufaula during the summer to help out in the construction of the garage.

We stayed about a week and headed back to western Kentucky.  Later that fall, we both went back and worked some more.

Roger, of course, being the huge Oklahoma Sooner football fan, invited us to go see the Iowa State game.  Landry Jones and DeMarco Murray had great games and the Sooners won 52-0.

We had a great time, stopped at a little pizza place on campus, and I remember saying “Sooner” a dozen times as we walked to the stadium.

It was an awesome experience and became the start of a close friendship between my family and Roger’s family.

I will always remember Roger as a kind man, a gracious host, and a great friend.