Roger Clarence Mertz Sr., 85, died peacefully on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at his home in Hallettsville.

Roger was born on February 15, 1932 in Hallettsville, Texas, the youngest of five children born to Magnus and Annie Mertz.

Growing up in Hallettsville, Roger was very close to his brothers. He fished, swam and enjoyed the outdoors. During his high school years, he was Captain and Quarterback of the Brahmas, played the trumpet, was a member of the choir, ran track and played tennis. Roger loved growing up in Hallettsville and felt strongly connected to family and the community.

Upon Roger's completion of four years of service in the Air Force, he married Lee, the love of his life. Throughout their marriage, Roger and Lee lived in several small Gulf Coast Texas towns, working and raising their three children. In 1987, after 23 years with Celanese Chemical Corp. in Bay City, Texas, he retired to Hallettsville and settled in the country.

Roger loved to play dominos, fish, hunt and garden. He fished constantly (of course, we called it going to get fish) and always brought fish home to eat. He and Lee loved to hunt deer with his brother Magnus and his wife Carolyn. But the thing he was the most passionate about was his garden. Boy, could he grow vegetables. Some were ridiculously HUGE. One time, he grew a 4-pound radish! He was also a highly competitive domino player. Many times he would call out what his opponents should play before they had a chance to put the domino out.

Roger will be remembered by his family as a gentle, kind and caring man. He was a rock for his wife and the family during her long illness with Alzheimer's'. He will be remembered as a fun and encouraging Dad, teaching us to swing a bat, bait a trot line and beat us consistently in foot races and dominos. His quiet gentleness gave us strength and courage to be able to follow our dreams. We will miss him until we meet again.

Roger was predeceased by Leontine (Lee), his wife of 60 years. He is survived by his children, Donna Barnett, Debra Jacobsen and Roger Mertz, Jr. and his grandchildren, Richard and Michelle Barnett and Robert Barnett, Marie, Ben and Michelle Jacobsen, Amanda, Amelia and Andrea Mertz.

Services will be held on Thursday, March 23rd, at Kubena Funeral home located at 507 S Main St, in Hallettsville. Visitation will be held from noon to 1:45 PM with memorial service immediately following to begin at 2 PM, with graveside service following at the Hallettsville City Cemetery .   After the service, all are invited to a reception at Roger's home at 7920 FM 530.

In lieu of flowers , the family would welcome donations to the Alzheimer's Association or to the Friench Simpson Memorial Library in Hallettsville.