Roger Lee Locke, age 81, of Houston, Texas, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Roger was born September 9, 1941 in Grand Rapids, MI and raised in Muskegon, MI. He attended Muskegon High School and went on to play football at Arizona State University, where he earned an athletic scholarship and was captain of the team in 1962. Renowned for his speed and blocking ability, Roger was selected as a member of the All-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) All-Stars team and invited to play in the Blue/Grey Classic game. He was also selected to play in the Senior Bowl where he impressed scouts enough to become the San Francisco 49ers’ and the Oakland Raiders’ 8th round draft picks. He was also drafted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers which took him to Canada for 3 years. Upon retiring from his football career, Roger began working for Anderson, Clayton & Co. (and subsidiaries) which took him and his family to Houston, TX in 1966. He joined Mitsubishi Caterpillar Fork Lift America in 1989 and retired in 2003 to continue his passion for golf.
Roger is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years Wanda (Towery) Locke; his children Lisa (Locke) Gentry, Bret Locke (Tina), Michael Locke, and John Atkinson; his grandchildren Jack and Grace Gentry, Lauren Chesson, Garrett Locke, Pace Locke, Ainsleigh (Atkinson) Baker, Alex Atkinson and great-grandchild, Ella Chesson; and sisters-in-Law Jessica Locke, Judy Locke, and Clare Towery; former wife Barbara Locke, along with many nieces, nephews and golf buddies.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth F. and Annalee (Gunther) Locke; brothers, Larry, Dick and Fred Locke, sister-in-law, Doris Locke and brother-in-law Ronnie Towery.
A Reception will follow after the Memorial Service
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to MD Anderson Cancer Center.
A memorial service for Roger will be held Friday, February 10, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkwestheimer.com for the Locke family.
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