//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143416/143416-01.jpg

Life Story / Obituary


//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143416/143416-02.jpg
Print

Please note the Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held 2pm, Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at Maple Grove Cemetery, Elk Rapids.

Roger Dewayne Booth Sr went to meet his loving God on May 9, 2023.

Roger was born April 12, 1939, the oldest of 10 born to Clayton and Donna (Dingman) Booth. He was born at his aunts home in Bellaire during a snow storm.

He grew up helping on the family property in Elk Rapids Township. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, swimming, dancing and was an avid reader and would often be found on the couch engrossed in a book.

Roger attended Elk Rapids School and graduated in 1957. He joined the USAF when he was 18 and worked on jet engines. He served proudly at Westover AFB in Massachusetts and in the Philippines during Vietnam. The experience helped him secure a job with United Technologies, Hamilton Standard in Hartford, Connecticut. There he worked on fuel injection systems for space shuttles and later he was the Manager of the Jet Engine Repair and Overhaul Department. He had met his first wife Jean in Massachusetts, where they married, raised Roger Jr & Sue. He took an early retirement in 1991. He purchased an acre of his family property for a retirement home. He moved on to electrical construction work, small engine repair, lawn care and traveling with his first wife Jean until they divorced in 2005.

He believed in use, modify and reuse to the best of his ability. He enjoyed collecting made in USA and antique items.

Roger missed his Elk Rapids family, visiting as often as possible. He enjoyed class reunions and was always pleased by the way a big deal was made over the minced meat pies he would make and bring.

He also struggled with alcoholism. Roger got by with his sharp brain, quick wit and humor, excelling in his job and putting himself through DeVry University earning an Associates Degree in electronics. He realized his family deserved better and with their help he was led to Alcoholics Anonymous where he found his God, peace, serenity, and finally love and respect of himself. He had more than 33 years of sobriety. Service and mentoring in AA was something he treasured. Those who were lucky enough to receive his mentoring and friendship also treasured him.

Roger loved music, singing and dancing. His sister Janet introduced him to Mary to go dancing. A year later they were married and then lived, loved and danced on the property on South Elk Lake Road for 16 years, not nearly long enough for Mary and his lap dog Buddy.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Bonnie and Marilyn (Guy) and his brother, Ronald (Linda).

He is survived by his wife Mary Ann (Hudson) Booth, children, Roger Jr (Michelle) Booth & Susan (Cliff) Booth-Daniels and step-children, Michelle and Chad Houghton, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters, Charlene (Ed) Bussa, Myrna (Glen) Howse, Janet (Larry Scarlett) Saylor, Carol (Dave) Himebauch, Valarie (Larry) Ball and Judy (Bruce) Parliament; brother-in-law, Larry Corpe; nieces, nephews and cousins.

He loved his large family and was very proud of them. Grampy touched many hearts and will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

A Graveside service with Military Honors will be held at 2pm, Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at Maple Grove Cemetery, Elk Rapids.

Donations may be made to fight cancer or the Antrim County Commission on Aging.

Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and more. The family chose Life Story Funeral Home.

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143416/143416-02.jpg