Final Salute

Roger D. (Podge) Smith, 72, of West Frankfort, was called home on January 16, 2022 at the VA Medical Center in Marion. Roger was born on Sunday, November 27, 1949 in Herrin, Illinois to Eugene and Genell ( Mabry ) Smith.

Roger is survived by his wife Betty ( Pritchett ) Smith. Roger married Betty on July 29, 1995. It was a beautiful ceremony at their family home.

Roger is also survived by his children, Chrystal ( Jeff ) Overturf, Heath (Janice) Smith, Scarlett (Matt) Tosh and Sacrecia Howell. Also surviving are grandchildren, Peyton, Trenton, his birthday Buddy and Micah Overturf, Ethan and Gabe Smith, Lilly Jones, Austin Cantrell, Cole and Katie Tosh and Harley Keck. Roger is also survived by an uncle, Billy Smith and by his many cousins, special friends that he considered family and his Seabee family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Roger grew up in West Frankfort and graduated from FCHS in 1967. After high school he was drafted into the Navy. He was deployed to Vietnam. While in Vietnam he was stationed in Hanoi.

He was a heavy equipment operator. After returning from Vietnam, he continued serving his country in the Naval Reserves. Chief Petty Officer Smith was honorably discharged in 2000.

Roger loved God and his country. Along with his service he worked with his dad in excavating .
He took over the family business after his dad passed in 1989. He spent the next 32 years running his own business.

Roger loved his motorcycles, racing, fishing, snow skiing, tinkering in his garage and all things outdoors.

He was a lifelong member of the HOG Chapter. He loved welding and was very mechanical. In the last weeks of Roger’s life his faith in the Lord grew. He professed his faith and turned to God in his time of need. He was so thankful for all he had been blessed with. He reached out to all those he loved and found strength in his Lord. He realized how much he was loved by the Lord and all his family, his friends and his country. He was proud to be a Christian and a patriot. We were blessed to have him in our lives and will cherish our memories and miss him everyday

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. at the Parker-Reedy Funeral Home in West Frankfort with Pastor Ronny Shelton officiating. Burial will be in the Tower Heights Cemetery. Visitation will be after 10:00 A.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.
Military rites will be conducted by the American Legion’s of Orient and Zeigler and the VFW of West Frankfort.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Fair Winds and Following Seas.

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