Roger Ellis Blethen, Sr.

Mr. Roger Ellis Blethen,Sr., age 86, of Tampa, Florida passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2022. Roger was born on May 17, 1936 in Knox, Maine. He entered the United States Air Force as a young man in 1954, and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant in 1976.

Roger met his beloved wife, Carolyn Ruth Benjamin, at an amusement park, where she was employed, while he was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. The couple married in 1955 and raised their family in Tampa, Colorado, Japan, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arizona. They returned to Tampa upon his retirement. Roger was well known and respected by his customers at "Roger's Fix It Shop". He was a master craftsman, building three homes with his own hands. He and his wife were active parishioners at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents and 18 siblings.

Roger is survived by: Carolyn, his beloved wife of 67 years; son, Roger Blethen, Jr. (Sandra); daughter, Dena Vaughn (John); and brother, Floyd Blethen. He is also survived by five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and a large extended family.

A visitation for Roger will be held Wednesday, November 30, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a time to share memories at 5:30 p.m. at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 East Lake Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33610.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3012 West Cherry Street, Tampa, FL 33607.

A committal service with military honors will take place Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, 4228 East Lake Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33610.