Dorsey Roger Keith

Roger was born July 18, 1951, in Sendai, Japan, to Dorsey Dalton Keith and Vivian Leigh Land Keith. He later made his home in Bossier City, where he worked at Frymaster and built a life filled with family, friends, dogs, laughter, and a great many stories that can’t be mentioned here.

Roger served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. During his tenure, he obtained the rank of Sergeant.

Anyone who knew Roger knew that he was entirely and unapologetically himself. He was irreverent, hilarious, straightforward, and freakishly smart. He had a sharp mind, a quick wit, and very little interest in pretending to be anything other than exactly who he was.

He also had a way of taking care of people that became something of a family legend. We called it getting “Rogered.” You might casually mention something you wanted, something you needed, or some small problem you were having and think nothing more of it. Then, somehow, it would be taken care of. The thing would appear. The problem would be solved. A package might simply show up on your doorstep. Roger noticed more than he let on, remembered what mattered, and showed his love through what he did.

That same generous spirit extended to animals. Roger rescued and loved many dogs over the course of his life, giving them the home and devotion they deserved. He leaves behind his beloved dogs, Izzy and Echo, who were his companions and will feel his absence right alongside the rest of us.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Dorsey Dalton Keith and Vivian Leigh Land Keith, and his wife, Janet Marie Carroll Keith.

He is survived by his sister, Karen Lynn Keith Byrd; his niece, Jennifer Leigh Byrd; his nephew, Samuel Keith Byrd, and his wife, Amanda Lynn Poland Byrd; his grandnieces, Payton and Olivia Byrd, along with family, friends, and all those fortunate enough to have known—and occasionally been Rogered by—him.

There are people whose absence leaves a space that cannot really be filled. Roger was one of them. We will miss his intelligence, his irreverence, his humor, his blunt honesty, his enormous heart, and the unexpected ways he took care of the people and animals he loved.

Most of all, we will simply miss Roger. Dearly.