Roger Wade Cheatham

Roger was born on April 15, 1947, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Frank and Lucille Cheatham. He was the fourth of four children. He spent his childhood in Tulsa and graduated from Memorial High School.

On his journey of higher education, Roger found his calling and passion in computer science from a supportive professor at Tulsa Junior College. In following years, he would complete an additional degree in computer science at Tulsa University.

In 1971 he served for a year of ministry with Shiloh, an outreach to underprivileged children in New York City. It was in that organization that he first met Babs Wells, whom he would go on to marry in 1972.

Roger and Babs made their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a host of rich relationships among family and friends. They welcomed their first two children, Joshua and Emily, while living in Tulsa.

In 1986, Roger and his family moved to Austin, Texas, where he continued his career in systems engineering at several companies, moving from salaried positions into contract work that lasted until 2001.

Roger and Babs had their third child, Sarah, in Austin.

In later work years he shifted his focus from technology to real estate.

As a dad, Roger was kind and gentle, supportive, true to his word, and a good listener. Ever present and faithful. He showed his love through faithful provision and thoughtful service. His presence was never in doubt. Roger enjoyed working with his hands and would experiment with various projects, passing on the love of creating to his kids.

Roger was a proud grandad, blessed and filled with joy at seeing the health and vigor of his grandkids. He would often pop popcorn, or bake cookies or banana bread. Grandkids knew that whenever they came over, there would be a treat waiting for them.

He loved growing and tending things. For years he faithfully and patiently cultivated a garden. He also loved to plant fruit trees and see them come to bear fruit. He even kept bees for a few years choosing to build his own top-bar hive, a more bee-friendly method of keeping bees.

He was characterized as “a quiet saint who loved the Lord and his family” and “one of the kindest and most Christlike men I have ever known”.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents Frank Lee Cheatham and Lucile Wade Vickrey Cheatham, his sister Patricia Lucile Cheatham Parent Callahan, and his sister-in-law Janie Sams Cheatham (wife of brother Jerry).

Roger is survived by his wife Barbara Wells Cheatham; his sister Janet Marie Cheatham Patton and her husband Jack; his brother Jerry Lee Cheatham; his son Joshua Wade Cheatham, his wife Alejandra, and their children Hannah Isabel and Oliver Mathias; his daughter Emily Kathryn Cheatham Harris, her husband Jeffrey, and their children Rebekah Leigh, Jonathan Gage, Luke Nathaniel, Abigail Kathryn, Anna Elizabeth, and Liam Gabriel Forrest; and his daughter Sarah Elizabeth Lucile Cheatham Campagna, her husband Benjamin, and their children Margaret Josephine, Ezra Peregrine, and Liliana Valentine.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, April 2nd, at 5:30pm at Georgetown Community Center - 445 E Morrow St, Georgetown TX 78626. All are invited to attend a shared meal at the Community Center immediately following the Celebration of Life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rancho 3M Orphanage and Christian School: rancho3m.com