Roger Monroe Denhard

September 25, 1928 - February 23, 2022

Roger Monroe Denhard, 93, of Reklaw, Texas, peacefully passed away on February 23nd, 2022, after a difficult battle with COVID-19 and Pneumonia. Roger was born on September 25th, 1928 to Elizabeth nee Sterett and Raymond Monroe Denhard in the bustling city of Louisville, Kentucky. Roger had an older sister, Rae Wayne Losey, and a brother, James Boyd Denhard, who sadly passed away as an infant before Roger was born. In the very early 1930’s the family moved to Florida during the Great Depression. First living in Tampa, they also lived at St. Lucie, Sarasota and back to Tampa again by WWII. Roger’s father purchased 5 acres in Tampa and had a nursery business and a mechanics shop. It was there that Roger gained his mechanical experience by working on small engines, boat and car motors, and the new outboard motors of the 1940’s. Roger graduated from Plant City high school in January 1947. He was an Eagle Boy Scout and a junior ROTC. During high school Roger was a newspaper boy, rain or shine, every day. As mechanical qualified as he was, Roger’s dream career was in electronics, but his career would have to wait. At the age of 21, Roger was about to get drafted due to the Korean War conflict; and he knew it. He didn’t wait for the draft notice and voluntary joined the U.S. Navy. First to Great Lakes, Michigan, “boot camp” and then assigned to Naval Air Station Saufley Field, Pensacola, Florida, where he was trained as an aviation machinist’s mate. Whenever Roger had liberty, he would drive back and forth to Tampa in his 1936 Ford Coupe, more than 450 miles each way. It was there that he met and fell in love with Mary Bessie Smith. After training he was assigned to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. Again, during liberty he would drive back and forth to Tampa but closer now, only 200 miles each way. Roger married Mary in Tampa on May 16th, 1953. A few months later he received orders to reported to Norfolk, Virginia, to join the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Wasp CV-18 world cruise Norfolk to San Diego, California, 16 September 1953 – 1 May 1954, with ports of calls in Italy, Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, and Hawaii. He was an aviation machinist mate third class assigned to fighter squadron 173. Upon arriving in San Diego, he was transferred back to Jacksonville and was discharged on 21st June 1954. Roger & Mary purchased a home in Oldsmar, Florida, close to Tampa. He graduated from technical college with a certificate of achievement in Electrical Engineering and was hired by Sperry in 1958, which became Sperry Rand, a major equipment and electronics company. Eager to start a family, but without success, they adopted newborn twin girls Donna and Denise in 1958. Then in 1959 Mary became pregnant with Shirley who was born in January 1960. During this time Roger was working full time but was also studying for his degree enrolled in evening courses at St. Petersburg Jr College, receiving a degree that propelled his career. In 1966 the family moved to Clearwater, Florida into a new and bigger home, but again close to Tampa and still with Sperry. An additional move with Sperry took the family to Gainesville, Florida. In 1974 Roger was offered a position, and a big pay raise, with Microwave Associates in Massachusetts. This was a big move with 3 teenage daughters in high school the family uprooted and purchased a home in Westford. Roger loved his work but hated cold weather and snow. The blizzard of 1978 was enough to make them leave Massachusetts; they were snowed in for 2 weeks. Sending out resumes, Roger was offered a position with E-Systems in Garland, close to Dallas, Texas, and moved again in August 1978. The following year, Roger & Mary were alone together again as all three daughters had left the nest. E-Systems had a flying club out of Love Field, Dallas, and Roger always had a love of flying. He began taking lessons and gained his pilot’s license in 1980. He could rent a small plane per hr, or day, and spent many hours flying around just having fun. While still living and working in Garland, Roger and Mary purchased 4 lots in a rural community, with access to a small private lake, close to Frankston in East Texas. Roger contracted the construction of the building to be “dried in” only. He then began to complete the entire interior, including all electric, sewer, plumbing and drywall himself. For two years, he would travel back and forward between Garland and east Texas, often with Mary, to work on the new retirement home. In 1992, at the age of 64, Roger retired from E-Systems, he was a senior manufacturing engineer. He, and Mary, sold the property in Garland and they moved to Frankston to enjoy a quiet retirement. As time passed, when graced to age, it became clear that a 2-story was 1 story too much. At the end of 2014, when Roger was 86, they sold their property in Frankston, purchased a new home which was placed on John and Shirley’s property in Reklaw, Texas. Roger and Mary still enjoyed travelling and often would take sort trips to Louisiana, or elsewhere, just to get away. Then, in 2016, on one of their trips away from home, Roger had an accident and broke his neck. It was a critical injury, which he survived, but physically disabled him for the rest of his life. His love of life, and stubborn determination, pulled him through but he would need daily care provided by his loving daughter Shirley and Son-in-Law John for his remaining 6 years. Roger is pre-deceased by his sister Ray Wayne Losey and daughter Denise Denhard. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Denhard, his daughter Shirley Chapman and husband John Chapman, and daughter Donna Denhard, beloved nieces Patricia Husband, Lynda Fleming Clay, Cay Craig Tomich and Debora O’Dell, grandchildren Stephen Jones, Rebecca Jones and Stephanie Jones, great grandchildren Nevaeh, Delilah and Arrow Rogers, Sparrow & Sage Wilson, and newborn twin girls Jordan & Danelle Romano. A special thank you to the people at Trinity Mother Francis hospital in Jacksonville for their loving care and support during his final days. Also, the family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude towards Reklaw Baptist Church for being very accommodating and understanding during this difficult time. Memorial services for Roger will be at the Reklaw Baptist Church, in Reklaw, Texas on Saturday, March 5th 2022. A meal will be served at 12 noon and service will be at 1pm. Roger will be cremated and interned at “The Restlands”, Dallas, at a date to be determined. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 Rest in Peace