Roger Bell Chewning

Roger was born in Cross City, Florida on December 20, 1939, to Claude Chewning and Beulah Bell. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 35 years, Sandra, and is survived by his sister Nancy Angell, and his children Lisa Demmi (Lynn), Michele Demmi, Robin Demmi Walls, Giana Gerhart (Gregg), Roger L Chewning (Christina), Loren Chewning (Kristi), and his grandchildren Austin Walls, Ethan Chewning, Demmi Gerhart, Easton Gerhart and Reese Gerhart.

After graduating high school, Roger moved to Miami, Florida until 1963, when he joined the US Army for a two-year enlistment. He was placed in the Medical Corps, in service as a Medic, and sent to Bremerhaven, Germany. Not liking being told what to do, he completed his tour in Germany and returned home to Florida.

A few years after his return to Florida, Roger entered Florida Technical University in Orlando, Florida to study Engineering. He graduated in 1971, with his graduating class paving the way for the school’s state certification and name change, to later become the University of Central Florida. Roger never forgot his alma mater and showed his appreciation by being a Knight’s Honor Roll Donor for many years.

Roger obtained his Professional Engineer license after graduating, bringing employment opportunities with local and county governments within Florida (in Dade County and Hillsborough County), in addition to a few years of employment by the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia (by way of the oil company, ARAMCO). He was instrumental in the designing of Lettuce Lake Park here in Tampa and was proud of that achievement along with several others.

In the mid-80s as a single dad to two sons, life led him to meet a single mother with four daughters and sparks flew. Roger and Sandra married a couple of years later, joining their two families together. He took on the role of being another dad to her daughters on top of being an awesome dad to his boys. Together with their family, they shared life and love and created many wonderful memories. Family get-togethers were always fun, full of laughter, sometimes themed, occasionally located at the beach during summer beach trips, and usually loud.

Roger’s love of cars led him to the Tampa Bay Antique Vehicle Association. He grew his friend base and his antique car collection through his affiliation with that group, even serving a term as President. Roger opened Chewning Inspection Services, an inspection and engineering firm, where his sister and almost all his kids worked at some point. CIS joined CABA (Carrollwood Area Business Association) for networking and business connections, creating professional relationships in the community, as well as so many great friendships. Roger was very proud when Chewning Inspection Services was nominated for Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year. Roger enjoyed his involvement with both TBAVA and CABA very much.

Roger and Sandra shared a crazy kind of love like none of us have ever seen. Their love story lasted almost 40 years on Earth and now continues in Heaven. Dad and Mom hated to be apart, and they had been separated for a whole year since she passed so he decided to go and be with her. While we are so very sad to lose Dad, we are so happy knowing he is with Jesus, is out of pain, and is holding hands with his favorite girl again.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Blount & Curry, Carrollwood Chapel, 3207 W. Bearss Avenue in Tampa with a visitation at 2:00 pm and a service at 3:00 pm.