Roger D. “Road Dog” Mayhew, age 49, of Marion, died unexpectedly late Saturday evening, May 7, 2011, at his residence following an apparent heart attack.
On March 8, 1962, Roger was born in Logan, West Virginia, the son of the late Charles “Buck” and Pearl (Browning) Mayhew.
When Roger was only one year old, he and his family lost his mother to illness. Shortly thereafter they moved as a family to White Hall, Ohio.
Just before graduating high school, Roger left early to join the U.S. Army whom he served actively and in their reserves for nearly twenty years. He also served as a specialist in the 4th squadron of the 107th Air Cavalry for the Army National Guard for many years.
In the summer of 1995, Roger moved to Marion, Ohio, to work at the Marion Correctional Institute as a correctional sergeant. He developed many great friendships with his fellow workers there.
Born to ride, Roger a.k.a. “Road Dog” was the state president of the U.S. Military Vets and member of their Marion Chapter. He has been a motorcycle enthusiast ever since he was young and he would ride as often as he could. He also enjoyed supporting poker runs all throughout the state of Ohio.
In addition to the U.S. Military Vets, Roger was a member of the Sons of the American Legion, the Army & Navy Union, the Moose and the Eagles in Marion.
With a love for the outdoors, Roger was an avid camper traveling to state parks all throughout the state of Ohio and most often to Dogwood Valley in Mount Gilead. He enjoyed all types of camping from using his RV to camping simply with just a tent.
Always “laid back,” Roger had many rules to live by, but for him “Rule number one” was “don’t get excited.” He was a good natured man, who “would give you the shirt off of his back.” Known for his ornery “smirk,” Roger loved a good laugh.
Roger will be missed by his brother, David (Robin) Mayhew of Columbus; several cousins including: Dan & Vickie Browning, William Browning, Linda Hart and Vergie Denty all of Marengo, and Joe & Billie Jo Browning of Thomasville, NC; and many dear friends and fellow riders.
Visiting hours for Roger’s friends and family will be from 4 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2011, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. An informal gathering to celebrate Roger’s life will also be held there on Friday at 10:00 a.m., with Chaplain Murphy Cola from MCI officiating. A tribute ride will immediately follow to Butter Cemetery in Marengo (on SR 61), where military honors will be provided by the Marion County United Veterans Council.
Memorial contributions may be made to U.S. Military Vets, Marion Chapter, Ohio 1, and they may be sent to be the care of the funeral home.
For those wishing to express their private condolences online to Roger’s family, you may do so by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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