Roger W. Brown

Roger William Brown, age 60, of Kempner Texas, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, 6 December 2018, at a Temple Hospital. Roger passed, surrounded by his family, after a brief but determined struggle to defeat cancer. He was born 26 February 1958, in Lawton Oklahoma, and was the youngest of two children and a faithful son born to a soldier, Clifford Walter Brown and his wife Tomo, who was from Japan.

Roger met the love of his life, Deborah Ann Watrous, at Nolan Middle School in Killeen, Texas. They were wed on 5 January 1980 at Fort Hood, Texas. Roger attended Killeen High School, and Central Texas University and was continually learning, up to days before his death. Roger and Debbie had a beautiful baby girl on 10 October 1980 and named her Kristina Marie Brown. Roger deeply cherished Debbie and Kristi and his extended family. They lived a full life, enjoying many and varied life experiences. He especially loved his two grandsons, Troy and Lance, who called him “poppy.” Roger was a Christian man, and confessed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, from the time of his adult baptism. We deeply miss Roger being with us, but we also rejoice that Roger’s spirit is with Jesus right now.

Roger was a terrific family guy. Debbie, Kristi, his grandsons, mother, and his extended family could count on his unconditional love and support. Roger was enormously proud of his wife’s teaching career and provided support to her many projects for school and church. He was constantly thinking of ways to improve their home and in 2018 he built a large barn on their property. Roger loved to spend time woodworking and watching baseball with his grandsons. Not everyone knows Roger could cook. He learned from food shows and prepare gourmet meals Sunday evenings for his family or friends who happened to drop in. After his dad passed, Roger faithfully took care of his mother, using his day off every week to take her shopping, the grocery store, or wherever she needed to go, up to her passing 20 years later. Roger loved and was close to Debbie’s father, mother and extended family.

Roger was a great friend and a great person, easy going and with a huge heart. He was always there when someone needed help, fixing stuff, helping Luther League and doing projects at the church, or manning the grill at a party. The name "Roger Dodger" rings out among hundreds of folks that played church softball league and pick-up softball tournaments in Killeen Texas. That guy could eat up outfield faster than anyone in the league. At more than a few practices, Roger played the entire outfield, unassisted. He could catch a ball at the fence and throw it to home plate surprising the unsuspecting and unfortunate runner who tried to steal home on a deep fly ball. He played softball just like he lived life, accomplishing great things, in an unassuming manner and without fanfare.

Everywhere Roger went, he made it better. He was working at Yardi, as a Senior System Analyst, traveling extensively representing his company. Roger gave his all to his company, who upon looking at his schedule this fall couldn’t believe all that work was performed by one person. Though he was in significant pain in August 2018, that didn’t stop him from a business trip to Canada, where his body gave out. That led to a medical diagnosis of cancer on 5 September. Of course this didn’t stop Roger from wanting to get back to work. He underwent various therapies and in his last days, was building a work automation center at his home, looking forward to recovery and reengagement.

Roger was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his wife, Debbie; daughter Kristina, son-in-law Andy Randall, two grandsons, Troy and Lance Dunagan; a step-grandson Matthew Randall; a sister Marie, brother-in-law Fred Brown and their children.

There will be a visitation on 15 December 2018, at 10:00 a.m., service celebrating his life at 11:00 a.m., immediately followed by a luncheon, all at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 3801 Cunningham Road, Killeen, Texas AM. Officiating at Roger’s service are Paul Allan, Pastor of First United Methodist Church, Lampasas, and Veronica Smith, Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Killeen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Roger’s name.

The family would like to give special thanks to Pastor Paul Allan, and the faithful Women of Immanuel Lutheran Church for providing the service luncheon.