Roger T. Horrell

Roger T. Horrell
Denton, TX - Roger T. Horrell, 81, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 24, 2024, with his daughter by his side.
Roger Thomas Horrell was born September 3, 1942, in Alton, Illinois to Harold and Alice (Zerwas) Horrell. He grew up in Alton, Illinois, and attended Marquette Catholic High School. Upon graduation, Roger attended Parks College of Saint Louis University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics, and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Entering the U.S. Air Force, Roger attended flight school, receiving his "wings" at graduation.
Roger proudly served in the United States Air Force for five years, earning the rank of Captain. Roger arrived in Vietnam at the beginning of the Tet Offensive in January 1968. During his one-year tour in Vietnam, he flew as a FAC (Forward Air Controller) flying the O-1 Bird Dog. Roger was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and multiple Air Medals for his Vietnam service. He wrote a story about his Vietnam tour of duty in the book "Vietnam to Western Airlines, Volume 4."
Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Roger began his career with Western Airlines, later acquired by Delta Airlines, and became an Airline Captain. During his 33 years as a commercial pilot, Roger flew thousands of commercial flights transporting passengers across the United States safely to their destinations. Roger wrote and published a book under the pen name of "Rodger Thomas" during his retirement titled "Cyclone", an interesting fictional account of an airline incident.
Roger will be missed by his daughter, Meredith L. (Tom Nims) Horrell; grandson, Dylan T. Nims; niece, Sara (David) Dahm; uncle, Dave Zerwas, and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Susan Stephan.
Cremation rites were accorded.
Visitation will be held 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey, IL. A memorial mass is scheduled 10:00 am on Friday, September 27, 2024, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Alton, IL. Inurnment will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Godfrey, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Roger's honor can be sent to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program www.arl-iowa.org, which helps spay and neuter feral cats. Roger loved cats!
Condolences and memories of Roger may be shared with his family in the tributes section of his memorial page and may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com