Roger William Schooley

Roger William Schooley, 90 of Celebration, Florida, passed away on January 13, 2026. He was born in Elkhart, Indiana on December 18, 1935. When Roger was about 10, his father moved the family to a small farm where they raised dairy cows. Roger was active in the local 4H and showed dairy cows at the Elkhart County Fair each summer. He graduated from Concord High School in 1953. Moving to Chicago, Illinois in the fall of 1953, Roger attended DeVry Technical Institute. He received his diploma the following year. Roger married his beloved wife, Betty Lou Bickel on September 3, 1955.

Roger enlisted in the Army in 1955. He was stationed at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama with Company “D” 15th Armored Infantry Battalion. He was honorably discharged in 1958 after three years of service. Roger then enrolled at Indiana Technical College taking advantage of his GI Bill eligibility. He graduated in 1961 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. In 1972, he received his Professional Engineering (PE) licenses from the State of Indiana and the State of Florida.

Roger began his career in the Electric Power industry at Indiana and Michigan Electric Company in 1962. An employment opportunity at Florida Power located in Saint Petersburg, Florida became available in 1972 leading him to move the family to the sunshine and warm weather. As Roger’s career advanced at Florida Power (now Duke Energy), the family moved to Crystal River, Florida in 1977 establishing their eventual retirement location. In 1981, Roger and Betty moved back to St. Petersburg where he was the Director of Energy Management until his retirement in 1992. Crystal River remained their home-base from October to April each year during retirement where boating and fishing were on the agenda as favorite hobbies. During the summer months, they would reside at the Schooley farm in Elkhart where he enjoyed taking his antique tractor collection to shows, and working in the garden.

Roger was a member of the Crystal River Community Church in Crystal River, Florida and the Central Christian Church in Elkhart, Indiana. During his professional career he volunteered with various charitable organizations such as the Crystal River Rotary Club. Roger was also a member of the local VFW. Roger was a diehard fan of the Chicago Cubs, University of Florida Gators, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Upon retirement, Roger and Betty traveled frequently. Along with many ocean cruises, they experienced such destinations as New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, and Alaska.

Roger is survived by his sons: Steven R (Karen) Schooley, David R (Anne) Schooley, and William E (Diana) Schooley; grandchildren: Chad (Sara), Cris, Jonathan, Jeffrey, Matthew, and Meredith; great-grandchildren: Brayden and Brinley; and sister: Elinor Luanne (Schooley) Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents: Myles and Anna Schooley; his brother Norman; and wife, Betty Lou (Bickel) Schooley.

Roger will be inurned in Rice Cemetery, Elkhart, Indiana. Memorial services will be arranged at a later date.