Roger Walter Britton 1956-2006

BRITTON, DUROCHER, SASSMAN, KELP

Posted By: David Hellwege (email)
Date: 7/20/2006 at 00:16:08

Funeral services for Roger Walter Britton, 49, Ogden, were Saturday, July 8, 2006 at Community United Methodist Church, Ogden, with Pastor Richard Boatman officiating.

Mr. Britton died Sunday, July 2 at his home after living for 10 years with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Casket bearers were Nicholas, Jeremy, Joshua and Zachary Britton, and Danny DuRocher. Musical selections included "Ave Maria" - Dennis Morgan; "Untitled Hymn" - Stephanie Du-Rocher; "Lord's Prayer" - Sarah Britton; "Hymn of Promise" - congregation; and a brass quintet with Kevin Linder and Bob Gibson on trumpet, Gene Gross, French horn, Dan Cassidy, trombone, and Jeff Robilliard, tuba.

Roger Britton was born Nov. 11, 1956 in Sioux City, the son of Clifford and Charlotte Britton. He and his family moved to Spencer in 1967 where he graduated from Spencer High School in 1974. In 1978 he received his Bachelor of Education degree in instrumental music from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo.

"Mr. Britton" taught at Twin Rivers Community Schools in Bode for six years. He then moved to Hawarden and taught at West Sioux Community Schools for 10 years. His last move was to Ogden where he taught four years at the high school before having to retire in 1999 due to his illness.

Roger was a gifted musician and was actively involved in music education as an advocate, teacher and member of the Iowa Bandmasters Association. He played in the Karl King band at Fort Dodge and many other types of bands including jazz, dance, marching and concert bands. Roger was a devoted son, husband and father, traveling anywhere and everywhere to support his children's activities - even after becoming wheelchair bound - cheering silently as he looked on.

Roger's family and friends will miss him greatly, but the peace of knowing he is in a better place far outweighs the pain of losing him.

Those he left behind include his wife of almost 14 years, Laura of Ogden; a daughter, Stephanie and her husband Danny DuRocher of Manchester; four sons, Nicholas and his wife Sarah Britton of Huxley, Jeremy of Boone; Joshua of Searsboro; and Zachary of Ogden; and grandchildren, Aryanna and Lucas. He is also survived by his parents of Polk City; a sister, Linda and her husband Frank Sassman of Newton; a brother, Rick Britton and his wife Mary Peterson; a sister, Laura and her husband Robb Kelp of Spencer; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Walter and Anna Porter and Ralph and Bessie Britton.

A private graveside service was at Oakwood Cemetery following the funeral service.

Carson Funeral Home, Ogden, was in charge of arrangements.

[Source: Odgen Reporter via the WWW.]