Rev., Dr. Roger D. Ezell

Rev. Dr. Roger D. Ezell, age 77 of Orono. Passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 after a long struggle with cancer. Preceded in death by his parents, David Judson Ezell and Vera Emmajenny Fridley Ezell; brothers, Gary Ezell, Steve Ezell and Ken Meisinger. roger Ezell was born at fort Bragg, North Carolina, on August 12, 1943. he graduated from Davenport Central High School, and from St. Ambrose College, both in Davenport, IA, in speech/drama and later in music. During the Vietnam War he enlisted in the Army as a medic. On the troop ship to Vietnam, he entertained the officers and troops; in combat, he rescued the wounded. roger received many commendations. After Vietnam he toured Europe with the 7th Army Soldiers Chorus for two years. He returned to the states and met Roxanne at the University of Iowa City, where they were both working on master's degrees in music. they were married June 17, 1972. their son David James was born in 1976. Roger received an M. Div. degree from Univ. of Dubuque Theological Seminary and later a D. Min. degree from McCormick theological Seminary. He served Presbyterian churches in Chillicothe, MO (First) and in Long Lake, MN (Calvin) before retiring in 2006 because of failing health. During his pastoral career he also memorized the Gospel of Mark and delivered it as a 90-minute presentation to audiences in the Midwest. He was a lifelong Presbyterian. In retirement he served on a Presbyterian Church task force to help churches better understand how disabilities, including PTSD, might affect their members. On the Board of Episcopal Group Homes in Wayzata, MN, for many years, he encouraged staff development and retention as high priorities. He was a good father to his son David. Survived by loving wife Roxanne Fredrickson Ezell and son David James Ezell; his sister Barbara Ann Ezell Summers; his brother-in-law David Fredrickson and sister-in-law Jana Martin; his nephews Jason King (Tara), Brian King, and Mark Fredrickson (Devin), his niece Anne Fredrickson (Ben); 4 great-nephews and nieces; and many loving friends. A private memorial Service will be livestreamed at www.plymouth.org at 11:00 am on Friday, March 12; interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in the spring. Memorials may be made to Episcopal Group Homes (www.episcopalgrouphomes.org), Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (pda.pcusa.org), or Groveland Food Shelf (www.grovelandfoodshelf.org).