Roger Alan Roots

Roger Alan Roots departed this life peacefully and entered into eternal rest with his Lord and Savior on March 31st, 2025, at the age of 65 years and 4 months old. Humbly stating that Roger had just retired from the Durango School District 9R, mid 2023, after his devoted 18 years of loyal employment. Roger was loved by many, especially his parents. Roger was so kindhearted, dedicated, an extremely hard-worker, full of humor, talented in numerous areas and was he ever So Strong! Just Incredible! Roger will be in dreams, prayers and sorely missed by ALL.

Roger was born to James Russell Roots and Cecelia (Celia) Lorraine Reed on November 19th, 1959 in Chanute, Kansas.

At age five, Roger's family moved to Moore, Oklahoma. Roger joined the Boy Scouts in elementary school and participated all through high school. His love was the outdoors: camping, fishing, hunting, kayaking, archery, tennis, construction and an awesome craftsmen making knives, jewelry, and more. Roger was a music enthusiast, melophile. In seventh grade, Roger started playing the trumpet, which he played through his senior year. Roger graduated from Moore HS in 1978. He later worked as a mechanic at Coca Cola and with much continued inspiration from his parents. He later owned/operated and hauled contract loads, often pulling triples.

Roger hoarded six string, bass guitars, to a full drum and karaoke set up. This led Roger to perform in many local musicals, bands, to owning his own Karaoke business. Every summer, the family spent two weeks around the South Fork, CO area, to escape the Oklahoma heat. Beaver Creek Reservoir and Pogue Lake were the favorite areas. Grandpa Cecil Reed loved the mountains, therefore taking the family extensively around the state of Colorado. Durango, CO became Roger's treasured area, making the local area his new hometown.

Roger moved to Durango, CO in 2006. He went to work for the Durango 9-R School District. Soon after, Roger was promoted as lead mechanic. He was a CDE inspector and ASE Certified Mechanic for school buses, to include Mr. Daniel Blythe. Late 2013, Mr. Roger Roots met his wife, Ms. Bernadine Barry, while assisting her, across Hwy 3, with her estates unfortunate issues. This union brought strong relationships, living together, with much love and happy continued memories.

Roger is survived by his mother Cecilia of Alva, OK. His sister, Rhonda Barlow and her husband, Bill of Overland Park, KS. Nephews, Daniel Barlow of Overland Park, and Andrew Barlow of Aurora, CO. His Uncle, Larry Reed and wife Kathleen of Alva, OK. Cousins, Matt Reed of London, England, Scott Reed, Oklahoma City, OK., JV Reed Minneapolis, MN and Yolanda (Roots) and Husband Jason Tullis of Cherokee, OK.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Durango, Colorado Boy Scouts.