Roger Wilson

Roger Lyndon Wilson died on November 20, 2012. Born in Omaha, NE., on December 7, 1937, the son of Keith and Elizabeth Wilson, Roger graduated from Benson High School in 1955 and began his studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder, majoring in economics and political science. He met Mary O'Dea Widdis during his sophomore year, and they were married on June 9, 1958, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Danville, IL. Upon graduation, Roger began a long and successful career in retail management and clothing manufacturing, first at J.C. Penney in Denver, Target Stores in Minneapolis, and the H.H. Cutler Company in Grand Rapids, which brought Roger and Mary to Grand Rapids in 1969. He was instrumental in the crafting of the landmark flammability standard of 1972 for children's sleepwear. Roger remained with the Cutler Company until retirement except for a few short years as a consultant with Kurt Salmon Associates of New York City. In 1992 Roger retired from the Cutler Company, and he and Mary returned to Colorado, settling in Durango, where he was associated with the BULA Sportswear Company. Back in Colorado Roger was able to pursue his lifelong love of downhill skiing and fly fishing and was active with the Volunteer Fire Department. Roger and Mary traveled extensively, enjoying trips to Great Britain, Switzerland, Mexico, and Lillehammer, Norway for the 1994 Winter Olympics. Roger was an outstanding bridge player, enjoyed Scrabble and backgammon, was an avid reader, a loyal Tigers fan, and a proud liberal Democrat. A man of gentle wit, intelligence, and honor, he will be missed terribly. Roger is survived by his cherished wife of 54 years, Mary; children Mary Margaret Eaton (Glenn) of Whitehall, MI; Kenneth Emmett (Nancy) of Muskegon, MI; Jennifer Wilson Morris (David Dempsey) of Rosemount, MN.; and Peter, of Norfolk, VA. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren, Samuel and Elizabeth Eaton; Katherine Ann and Caroline Mary Morris; Micah, Micayla, and Maya Smith; and his sister Diane Wolf (Gus) of Omaha, NE. A private family Memorial Mass will be held at a future date in the Dominican Center at Marywood. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that any memorials be made in Roger's name to Doctors Without Borders, DWB USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030. The family is being served by: