Roger Romero

Roger Lynwood Romero, age 77, formerly of Clever and Kimberling City, residing at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, Missouri, joyously entered the gates of heaven on December 31, 2019, following a lengthy illness. Roger was born Sept. 27, 1942 in Oakland, California. His parents were Barbara Wright Bell and Gordon Bell. At the age of four his parents divorced and at the age of 14 he was adopted by his stepfather, Stanley Romero, in Marina, California. He had four half-brothers, Winston, Evan, and twins, Joel & John Bell. Roger joined the Navy and served during the Vietnam era on the Aircraft Carrier, USS Ranger CVA-61, receiving an Honorable Discharge. This started his love for airplanes! He (and partners) purchased a 1949 Navion 4973K single engine airplane. He became the mechanic and was an excellent pilot, earning his certificate as a Flight Instructor, training many new pilots over several years in Salinas, Ca. He served as Flight Captain for Yosemite Air Lines, piloting a small passenger commuter plane from Monterey to Lake Tahoe, California. After his Navy service, Roger's working career lasted for 31 years with the Monterey, California "Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center". Roger had two sons from a previous marriage, Erik and Stevenson. He also adopted a son, Vince Romero. He flew for several years for The Civil Air Patrol, as Commander, in Monterey, Ca. He then joined The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1986, retiring from that volunteer service in 2006. During that time Roger flew many Search & Rescue assignments for the Coast Guard, off the Coast of California, and assisted the Coast Guard during several floods along the coast. He served as Flotilla 6 Captain, District 11 N, acquiring many awards and ribbons for his dedicated service. Roger and Jan Derry were married July 21, 2002 in Kawaii, Hawaii. He treasured her saying they were "Soul Mates", even though it took a long time to find each other! They moved to Kimberling City, Mo. in 2003, living there for 10 yrs before purchasing their dream Horse Rescue Farm in Clever, Mo. He enjoyed his family, friends, home, Harley bikes, boating, Corvettes, & Rv's,/Travel Trailer's, working on cars/trucks/airplanes and doing carpenter work. He & his wife were members of the Silver Creek "Coachmen Club", enjoying many outings, and the Tri-Lakes, Corvette Club. He loved his dog ‘Missy', Cat ‘Peaches' & his horse, ‘Straw Baby, Bonanza' who he fondly called StrawBear!! Roger is survived by his wife, Jan Derry Romero, three sons, Vince Romero & Debra, Clearfield, Ut., Erik Romero & Laura, and Stevenson Romero, all of Salinas, Ca.; half-brothers, Evan and Joel Bell, Sioux Falls, S. Dakota; two stepdaughters, Cheryl Rasmussen of Capitola, Ca. and Crystal McKay & Rich, Eureka, Nv., seven grandchildren, twins, Christopher Romero & Kylie and Brandon Romero & Thalia , Kyle & Korinne Rasmussen, Alexander and twins Anna and Lukas McKay, great granddaughters, Serenity Romero and Vanessa Romero and uncle/great uncle to the Smith family in Lampe, Mo and Harding families in Colorado and Kansas. He was preceded in death by his half-brother, Winston Bell, His Step Father, Stanley Romero, Father, Gordon Bell, half-brother John Bell, his mother, Barbara Bell Romero and brother-in-law, Ted Harding of Colorado. The memorial service has been postponed until April, 2021. The specific date and time are pending. Cremation was under direction of Adams Funeral Home, Nixa.