Roger Eugene Binnicker

Roger Eugene Binnicker passed peacefully the day after Veterans Day, on November 12, 2025 at 20:15pm, at Hospice House Kansas City, following a two-week stay at Ignite Rehab Facility in Blue Springs, Missouri. His family is deeply grateful for the tender care provided by two exceptional nurses at Ignite, Christina and Heaven.

Born July 7, 1936, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Harry and Hope Binnicker, Roger grew up with the values of service, faith, and determination that would guide his entire life.

Roger proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from August 1954 to August 1964. He received an honorable discharge after 10 years of service, spending time stationed in Japan and Korea and serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge. Deeply patriotic, Roger cherished his service and later treasured his Honor Flight of the Ozarks experience in October 2015.

His faith was central to his life. Inspired by the example of his mother, Hope, Roger dedicated many years to his church where he was ordained as a Deacon in 1982, offering kindness, leadership, and support to all who crossed his path in Community of Christ.

Roger's lifelong passion for automobiles led him into a successful career in auto sales. While living in Houston, he worked for several years with Nils Sefeldt Volvo. His love for innovation and adventure showed early-he once built a rocket-powered race car and raced throughout Missouri. He even tested an amphibious car, a venture that nearly ended in tragedy when he almost drowned in the Missouri River.

Roger moved to Houston in 1969, where he met and married Vera Sekerka in 1970. He is survived by their daughter, Kristyna Rae Smith; his daughter from a previous marriage, Kim Peters; many grandchildren; his youngest sister, Phyllis Swafford; his sister in law Virginia "Gigi" Binnicker and countless nieces, nephews and friends from Community of Christ and the many places he called home.

After his retirement he later lived for several years in Branson, Missouri, where he was an active member of the Shrine and Masonic Temples and served as Director of Loaves and Fishes and was a member of Branson Community of Christ. He enjoyed his time at the Rice Masonic Camp on Table Rock Lake before eventually settling in Independence, Missouri to be near his sister Phyllis and Stone Church. There, he served in the Community of Christ Garden with his close friend Jim Hannah. Together, they harvested produce for the Wednesday Night Community Dinners, helping feed and bring comfort to many. Roger also loved simple joys-morning coffee with friends at McDonald's and his favorite treat: a tenderloin sandwich and apple pie from The Corner Café.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Hope Binnicker; his brothers, Donald and Robert Binnicker; and his sister, Lonnie (Yolonda) Caffey.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, December 1st at 11:00 a.m. at Stone Church in Independence, Missouri. Military honors will follow at Higginsville Veterans Cemetery at approximately 3:00 p.m.

Roger's life was marked by service, ingenuity, faith, and friendship. He will be remembered with deep love by all who knew him.