Roger R. Boone

Roger Reaseau Boone, 89, passed away on November 26, 2013 at Memorial Medical Center. He entered this world in Portsmouth, Virginia on February 20, 1924, the only child of Roger Boone and Evelyn Jones Boone. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served in World War II. As the child of an educator, who graduated from Hampton Institute in 1890, it was expected that he, too, attend Hampton, so after his stint in the Navy he enrolled. Just before graduating, he and his best friend went to Chicago on a summer program, where he met and wooed the charming and vivacious, 18 year old Ruth Hardeway. Thirty days later, he was on his way back to Portsmouth with a new bride. After completing his studies at Hampton, he re-enlisted, to serve in the Korean War. By this time, he and Ruth had become parents to a bouncing baby girl, Cheryl. In 1957, he applied for and was hired as an Illinois State Trooper. Becoming a state trooper was extremely significant for him and the Illinois State Police force, as he became part of the small group of men who were the first Black troopers in the state of Illinois. Subsequently, he and Charlie Scott shared the distinction, of becoming the first two Black troopers in Springfield. Being an Illinois State Trooper was a perfect fit for Roger; he seemed wired to protect and serve and he did it well. Some of his experiences as a trooper left him sad and reflective, others left him laughing at human nature and he would share that too. He genuinely liked his job and the job seemed to like him back. After years on the road, he was assigned to the District 9 Office of Special Investigations and finally to the Executive Security Detail, where he provided security for Governor James Thompson, Governor Dan Walker and Comptroller Roland Burris. It was yet another assignment that he relished. He also served on the Sangamon County Deputy Sheriff's Merit Commission. While on the force, he became actively involved in the Fraternal Order of Police. Passionate about the FOP, he became the secretary and worked tirelessly for years, to further their agenda. He retired from the Illinois State Police after 27 years of service. Frontiers International, the February Club, Urban League and the Poker Club were organizations and groups he joined and supported. Roger was extremely creative and drawn to do so many things. He took up black and white photography, including developing his own work, created model sailboats, gardened, studied geodesic domes (his fantasy was to build one and live in it) and even played the harmonica for a while. Always in hot pursuit of the perfect marinade and rub for his barbeque, he became the Zen griller (most of the time). He loved to golf, but by his own admission was a duffer. His killer fruitcakes, made in October and soaked and seasoned on a regular basis until Christmas, could, in his words, "put hair on your chest". After retirement, he took drawing classes at Lincoln Land and his drawings were pretty amazing. Protecting and providing for his wife and his daughter were his priorities and he did so splendidly. Roger was a man's man, always chivalrous and generous to the gentler sex but a demand for integrity and strength from his male counterparts. Although he never officially joined Grace church, his affiliation with it was long standing and grew over the years. In later years he discovered that he loved the reading and discussions in Bible study. Roger is survived by his devoted daughter, Cheryl and his three honorary grandchildren, Betsy, Ruthie and Danny. Roger is preceded in death by his father, Roger Boone, his mother, Evelyn Boone, his half sisters, Louise and Arie, his half-brother Horace, many cousins and friends and of course, his wife of 64 years, his beloved Ruthie. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies. Interment: 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 6, 2013 at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors provided by Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County and Department of Defense. Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 12:00-12:45 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at Grace United Methodist Church, 1612 E. Capitol Ave., Springfield. Memorial Ceremony: 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at Grace United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert Freeman officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, 2309 W. White Oaks Dr., Suite E, Springfield, IL 62704.