Roger LeRoy Ufkes

Roger LeRoy Ufkes, 82, Scottsdale, AZ Roger took his last breath in this life Feb 1st 2019, at 7:00 PM at his condo in Scottsdale, surrounded by his children, longtime friend Jane McKee and Doug McLeod, Roger's best friend of more than 60 years. Roger was born on Feb 1st, 1937 in Rochester, MN to his parents John Ufkes and Mae Heslop. Roger was an only child raised in rural Puyallup, WA by his loving grandparents, Edith and Roy Heslop. As a high school student, Roger excelled in sports and theater. Roger was the captain of the Puyallup Vikings football team and appeared in many plays and musicals. Roger had hoped to play football at Washington State University, instead he chose to marry the mother of his children Rosemary Fly and joined the army. Roger was stationed at Fort Richardson Army Base in Anchorage, AK, where both of his sons, Tim and Mark were born. After his deployment ended, Roger and family returned to Puyallup where his daughters Jamie and Dana were born. Roger began his career with the Carnation Milk Company of Tacoma, WA as a milkman. He rose to manager and finally head of all commercial accounts. During this time he played defensive end for the semi pro Tyee Football Club. A knee injury ended his dreams of playing in the NFL. Roger was also boxing at that time and competed as a heavyweight in the Golden Gloves Boxing Club of Tacoma. Roger was an ambitious young man with determination to move his career to the next level. He answered an ad for a real estate salesman in Shelton, WA. Roger quickly became the top salesman and was promoted to a new development in Bellingham, WA called Sudden Valley. The family moved to Bellingham the summer of 1969 where he began his life's work as a sales manager of hundreds of salesman for the next two decades. After the first developer went bankrupt, Roger opened his own office on the shores of Lake Louise in Sudden Valley called Sun-Mark Properties where he sold thousands of lots, built hundreds of homes, condominiums and commercial real estate in Bellingham. Roger lived a full and rich life filled with hundreds of close friends. He was an avid traveler, boater and sports fan with season tickets to the University of Washington Huskies football, the Seattle SuperSonics, Seahawks and Mariners. Roger was a larger than life character and will be missed greatly by his family and friends. Roger has left a legacy of family including sons Tim Ufkes (Julie Santos), Mark Ufkes (Jennifer Zutis), daughters Jamie Donnelly (Tim) and Dana Ufkes (Mike More). Grandchildren Jason, Erin (Juan), Kathryn (Rob), Brent (Coral), Zach and Sophia. Great-Grandchildren Keoni, Mia, Raylan, Ava and expectant twins. Ron Randolph, Marty Higgins (Vicki) Grace and Ryland. God children Alexandra and Sophia Jessup. Siblings Dianne and John. On Sunday February 17th there will be a celebration of Roger's life at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club at 3:00 PM. Come prepared to tell your best memory of Roger. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Whatcom Humane Society.