Roger H. Zion, 98, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family and caregivers. He was born on September 17, 1921 in Escanaba, Michigan to the late Herschel and Helen (Hutchinson) Zion.
He graduated from Bosse High School. Roger became an Eagle Scout in 1932. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1943 and earned his Master’s degree (1944-45) from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. Roger served in the U.S. Navy during WWII (1943-46), discharged at the rank of Lieutenant. He retired from the U.S. Navy Reserves. Roger married Marjorie Emma Knauss in February 1945 after he got out of service on a destroyer. He worked for Mead Johnson from 1946-1965 where he started out as a Sales Representative for Mead Johnson in Columbus, Ohio and then moved to Evansville in 1954 as Director of Sales Training for Mead Johnson. In 1964, D. Mead Johnson recommended to Roger that he run for Congress. He lost but never gave up, eventually serving as a U.S. Congressman for 8 years. Roger became the President of Resources Development Inc, in Washington D.C. and was a Consultant for several companies in Washington, traveling back and forth from Evansville to Washington, into his 80’s. He loved playing bridge. He once played in a Parliament vs. Congress bridge match, alongside his partner Warren Buffett, aboard a barge on the River Thames. Roger was an avid tennis player and golfer. He enjoyed playing cards at the Evansville Country Club. Roger loved spending time with his family and Marjorie was the love of his life.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Beth Houston and Jean Andreae.
He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Marjorie; daughter, Gayle Zion Marbury (Lem) of Madison, AL; sons, R. Scott Zion (Julie) of Napa, CA and Randy Zion (Nancy) of Franklin, TN; grandchildren, Carrie Tindol-Heidrich, Nell Zion, Owen Zion, Zach Zion, Emma Sophia Zion, Morgan Dirube, and Evan Dirube; great-grandchildren, Declan Roger Zion, Calvin Scott Zion, Finley Rose Zion; brother, Gordon Zion of Madison, WI; and nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 30, 2019 at Alexander East Chapel with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery.. Friends may visit Sunday 2:00–5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scouts of America, www.scouting.org.
