Roger Leo DeMarsh, Lt. Col. (USAF Ret)

Published 9:18 am Monday, April 22, 2019

December 5, 1938 – April 8, 2019

Roger Leo DeMarsh, Lt. Col. (USAF Ret) passed away on April 8, 2019, at St. Charles Hospital, Redmond. His wife and children were at his bedside continually during his five day hospitalization. Roger was born on December 5, 1938 in North Bend, OR to Jeannette Goebel and Nicholas DeMarsh.

He leaves his wife, Marion Kimmel DeMarsh; daughter, Deanna Gardner (Keith Gates) of Salt Lake City, UT; son, David A. DeMarsh (Cmdr. (USN Ret.)) (Sheryl); and grandchildren, Capt. Robert C. DeMarsh, USAF, (Tayler) and McKenzie DeMarsh, both of Las Vegas, NV; Sonia DeMarsh of Oak Harbor, WA and Aaron DeMarsh ETN 3, USN, of Norfolk, VA; as well as his brother, Joseph E. DeMarsh of Pendleton, OR; and sisters, Patricia (deceased) Carroll of Rifle, CO, and Julienne of Myrtle Creek, OR.

Roger was educated at North Bend and Myrtle Creek schools and went on to Oregon State University and Portland State University, graduating with a B.S. degree in 1962, then attending US Air Force Officers Training School following graduation. He served in-theater during the Vietnam Conflict, as well as in Alaska, Colorado, Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, Utah and Italy. Retiring in 1983, he was employed by defense contracting company TRW Corporation at Ogden, UT, for 9 more years, returning to Oregon in 1992. He and Marion settled in Eugene, finally building a home in Redmond in 1998. Roger was active in VFW Post 4108, Redmond, and the Military Order of Cooties, PT #8.

Roger made friends everywhere he went, with his dry sense of humor, generosity and ethical conduct. Even in the last few days of his life, the hospital staff became endeared to him and felt his loss. Good humor, good music, great sports and good acting were never lost on him. He was a Johnny Cash and John Wayne fan, and loved Jonathan Winters. Most afternoons at home would catch him watching “Gunsmoke”. He liked Gospel Music and often played it in his truck. Roger became a Christian at an early age and was raised in the Nazarene Church.

There will be a celebration of Roger’s life on May 5, 2019, at12-Noon, at VFW Post 4108 in Redmond. A potluck following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, or VFW Post 4108, Redmond.