ROGER WILLIS CAROTHERS

Palmer resident Roger Willis Carothers, 87, died Sept. 5, 2003, of pneumonia and congestive heart failure and complications of Alzheimer's disease at Valley Hospital in Palmer.

Mr. Carothers was born July 18, 1916, in Detroit.

A family memorial service was held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at Palmer Victory Fellowship in Palmer. Pastor Bill Moore officiated.

Mr. Carothers graduated from Howe Military School, Howe, Ind., in 1934. He attended Albion College in Michigan from 1935 to 1937.

He married Dorothea Vincent, his wife of 63 years, on Sept. 14, 1940.

Mr. Carothers worked for Timkin Roller Bearing in Canton, Ohio, in the 1940s.

He was a metallurgist and part owner of Metallurgical Processing Company outside of Detroit in the 1950s. He moved to Palos Verdes, Calif., in 1961 and worked for Wall Colmanoy Inc. in Los Angeles in the 1960s.

He helped care for his aging in-laws in Palm Desert, Calif., until their deaths.

He and Dorothea moved to Palmer to be near their daughter Chris Greig and her family on May 1, 1989.

Over the years Mr. Carothers was active in many church organizations. While living in Michigan he was active in Grosse Pointe Presbyterian Church, Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, Family Life Church in Palm Desert, and, after moving to Alaska, he attended Family Christian Center in Palmer .

Mr. Carothers was involved in The Christian Businessman's and Full Gospel Businessman's organizations.

He served at the Palmer Senior Center, driving the senior vans after moving to Palmer. He also was a volunteer at Morning Star Adult Services until he became ill with Alzheimer's disease.

Mr. Carothers enjoyed sailing, fishing, swimming and gardening. He was an avid reader and appreciated good literature.

His family wrote, "Roger was a testimony to the biblical truth of 2 Corinthians 6:17: 'Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.'

"Roger never knew a stranger. He had a generous heart and loved people and animals. Always a gentleman, he enjoyed socializing and making people feel welcome. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed a good joke. He was very adept at the 'quick comeback.' We will miss his big smile and ready laugh.

"The love of Roger's life was his wife and family. His grandchildren especially remember their fishing times with 'Papa,' while his great-grandchildren enjoyed his 'tickle bug' and wrestling matches. Roger never tired of hearing about the daily events in the lives of his family. As his memory failed his family remained the constant in his life that gave him joy.

"Roger will be missed by those who knew and loved him. We will cherish the happy memories and look forward to a joy filled reunion when we meet again."

Mr. Carothers was preceded in death by his parents Lewis F. and Elsie Veltman Carothers.

He is survived by his wife Dorothea; son Roger L. Carothers of Pennsylvania, daughter Kathie and son-in-law Stan Moe of Idaho, and daughter Chris and son-in-law Bob Greig, of Palmer, as well as his sister Eleanor, niece, Sally and nephew Jack Blum, of Detroit. His family said he was blessed with eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren as well as an extended family who considered him their own.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.