Roger Wander

KERRVILLE - Roger Leonard Wander, 74, of Kerrville, TX, passed from this life on October 6, 2015, at his residence in Kerrville, TX. Roger was born September 1, 1941, in Cleveland, OH, to Leonard and Mary (Fecko) Wander.

Roger chose to live his life having fun. He was quick with a joke, the life of the party, and made friends easily and quickly. He learned to love golf as a caddie at the early age of nine years. Despite his small stature, he managed carrying the golf bag for the full 18 holes without complaining. Roger was a natural athlete and took an interest in basketball. He was named to the varsity team at Orange High School in Pepper Pike, OH, as a sophomore and lettered for three consecutive years. He also lettered in football and golf.

During his high school years he was awarded: All East County Basketball Team for three years; Northeastern Ohio All Scholastic Team for two years; Associated Press All Ohio Class AA Team; Cleveland Press All Scholastic East County League; All East County Scoring Champion; record-setting scorer for Orange High School. His high school career peaked with his being named to the All American High School Basketball Team. Roger was called "The Wonder" by Cleveland sports writers because of his height of 5'7", his nimble ball handling, and his accurate shooting ability.

He attended Paris Junior College in Paris, TX, on an athletic scholarship, playing basketball and golf. It was there that he met his wife, Patsy, and they married June 30, 1962, in Clarksville, TX. Roger and Patsy lived most of their married life in Orange County, CA, raising three children. He continued to play golf and became the Senior Club Champion at Willowick Golf Course in Santa Ana, CA.

After retiring from his job in sales at L&N Uniform Company, where he worked for thirty-nine years, he and Patsy moved to the Texas Hill Country and became members of Riverhill Country Club and also played at Scott Schreiner Golf Course. Roger was beloved by his family, as well as those with whom he worked and played. He will be greatly missed after having touched many people along his life's journey.

The family thanks Hill Country Memorial Hospital and Hospice, Dr. Mark De Leon, and the staff and technicians for their compassionate care.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Mary Wander, and sister, Barbara.

Those left to honor and cherish his memory include his wife, Patsy Wander; daughters, Debra and Robin; son, Steven and wife Tracy; sister, Judith and her husband Robert; brothers, John and Richard and Richard's wife Connie; grandchildren, Heather, Summer, Brian, Nathan, Seth and Joshua. Other family members include brother-in-law Lloyd Petty, sisters-in-law Sharla Godfrey and husband Jonathan, and Janelle Crenshaw and husband Jim, and treasured nieces and nephews.

Celebration of life services in California and Ohio will be held at a later date.


Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home. (830) 895-5111

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