Roger Quinn

Roger Alan Quinn, formerly of Attalla, Alabama, passed away on December 2, 2016. Roger and his family were celebrating Thanksgiving in Spartanburg, South Carolina, when he collapsed from cardiac arrest. After 8 days in Spartanburg Medical Center, Roger left this world to be with his heavenly Father. He was surrounded with his family and close friends.

Roger was born on March 12, 1951. As a young man, Roger worked in the community by serving in various service organizations. He was a Mason, achieving the 33rd Degree. He had a long, prestigious newspaper career of nearly 50 years. He began his career at The Gadsden Times in 1966. He spent time in Maysville, Kentucky, and Hamilton, Alabama, before returning to The Gadsden Times. Roger was serving as publisher of The Gadsden Times in 2009 when he left to become publisher of the Herald-Journal in Spartanburg. He left the Herald-Journal in 2012 to serve as regional publisher of the company's Central Region, covering 12 newspapers in Florida, Louisiana and California. Roger enjoyed his time in Panama City, Florida, and chose to retire and continue living in Panama City Beach.

Roger and Sabara found each other, and the rest of their days together were filled with unconditional love and devotion to each other. Their marriage had times of richer or poorer, and sickness and health. They remained true to the vows they exchanged on that beautiful day, December 8, 1989. Roger's greatest joy of life was his beautiful, precious daughter Anna. She was his princess until the day he died. His love could never be measured, and she certainly brought joy to his life every day since her birth. He passed along his qualities of strength, compassion and integrity to her, and those qualities will serve and inform her life as they did his life. Roger was astonished every day of his life to feel so blessed and loved. Roger's Christian faith has served him well. He found joy in life as only a child of God could. After retiring, Roger devoted his energy to the Panama City Salvation Army, where he served as the chairman of the board of directors. Roger loved every community he lived in and loved serving in those community.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Sabara Blackwell Quinn, Panama City Beach, Florida; daughter, Anna Marie Quinn, Panama City Beach, Florida; brother, Gary (Patty) Quinn, Freeport, Illinois; sister, Nancy (Kevin) Runner, Southside, Alabama; niece, Sally Quinn; nephews, Doug (Brandy) Quinn; Cory (Heidi) Quinn; Eric Runner. Sheral Blackwell Serafini and John Serafini were loved as family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Ivaleen Quinn, and father-in-law, Otis Richard Blackwell.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Morgan Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be on Monday, December 5, 2016, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Graveside services will be held at Fairview Cemetery on Fairview Road at 1:30 p.m. Frank Battles will officiate. Pallbearers are Rob Delaney, Steve Hopper, Larry Means, Jack Page, Glen Porter, Mike Smith and Tim Thompson. Honorary pallbearers are Kevin Drake and all past newspaper co-workers.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Panama City Salvation Army Empty Stocking Fund.