Roger Lionel Askew

After a brief stay in Philadelphia, PA, Roger’s childhood was spent in Yorktown, VA and his early years of faith were cultivated at Grafton Baptist Church of Harris Grove. His education from first to twelfth grade was completed at James Weldon Johnson, the segregated schools for black students in Yorktown, VA. Roger was an enormously proud and accomplished student and graduated high school in June 1966. Enlisting in the United States Air Force immediately after graduation, Roger fulfilled his lifelong dream of being an exemplary airman. Roger served his country well for 30 years and achieved the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant (CMSGT) within 19 years (an accomplishment achieved by only 1.25 percent of all airmen).

During his career, Chief Askew served at Andrews AFB, Maryland; Clark AFB, Philippines; Randolph AFB, Texas; Dover AFB, Delaware; Mather AFB, California; Iran; Chievres AB, Belgium; Soesterberg AB, Holland; Langley AFB, Virginia; and Tinker AFB, Oklahoma and served in many leadership capacities.

Retiring in June 1996, Chief Askew continued his love of working with aircraft at Boeing Aircraft. Upon leaving Boeing, Chief Askew also worked for Serco, and as a mortgage broker.

After retiring from military duty, and while working, Roger went on to obtain a Bachelor’s and Master of Arts in Ministry from Randall University and was ordained at Everlasting Life Baptist Church in Norman, Oklahoma.

Those who knew Roger would attest that he was a man diverse interests with an impeccable list of skills that he turned into his passions and hobbies. As a youth he loved woodworking and made his family several items of which he was immensely proud. He also loved sports (Dallas Cowboys—a passion he shared with his dear niece Ashley), and music—particularly jazz, R & B, and hymnals. He was known among many for his outstanding music collection. In addition to these interests, he was an avid golfer. After retirement, Roger and his wife devoted wife Pamela loved traveling the country in their RV, finding adventures, and making new friends. Reading, studying, teaching and preaching God’s word, was another one of Roger’s love and passions.

Roger is survived by his loving wife, Pamela Opie Askew, whom he married on March 17, 1967. During this union, Roger and Pamela welcomed their son Roger Lionel, Jr. in 1967 and Veronica Althea (Carter) in 1971. Sadly, both Roger, Jr. and Veronica preceded him in death. In addition to his dear wife Pamela, Roger leaves his two grandsons--Durell and Jamal Carter, granddaughters-in-law Melissa (Durell) and Martana (Jamal), and their beautiful great grandchildren Ezekiel and Emelia (Durell and Melissa), and Marcella (Jamal and Martana), brothers Ronald Askew (Mary), James Askew, and his sister Tanya Swygert (Roy), and an extended family of many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins, and in-laws to mourn and remember him with much love.

Roger will be missed by Mark Rice and Cecily Odom who considered Roger a father figure to them, and numerous friends throughout his years, especially his long-time childhood friend Lloyd Ervin Tucker of Newport News, VA.

While the family mourns his loss, they celebrate his life of service to God and rejoice in knowing that he is now in the presence of Jesus Christ.

The family extends special thanks for the prayers, visits, phone calls, and expressions of love and support.

Visitation will take place Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Advantage Funeral Home, 7720 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City. Services will be held Friday, December 19, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Everlasting Life Baptist Church, 925 E. Brooks St., Norman, Oklahoma.

Following the service, friends and family will travel to Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma, where he will be laid to rest with full military honors.

Everlasting Life Baptist Church Deacons William Norman, Robert Daniels, Steve Hardaman, Don Tower, Fred Henderson and Reena Gillispie are the Honorary Pallbearers.