I passed through
Luling during watermelon season on the way back to Houston one summer
and got carried away and bought 20 watermelons. My first stop in town
was the Fair. I heaved one of the watermelons onto the bar and
said,"I'd like one order of nachos, please." Without comment, Roger
slid it behind the bar and under the counter. He said "It'll be about
ten minutes," and headed for the kitchen. Sometimes you don't need a
lot of conversation to connect.
I'm glad I got the chance to connect with Roger.
Bill Lucas
Roger was one of the
first people I met when I came to Houston many years ago. He
introduced me to Anderson Fair and many great people. I'll
always remember Roger Dodger as a good friend and wonderful person. I
wish we could be at the wake in person, but we'll be there in
spirit.
Glynis and Marty
i didnt have the
pleasure of rogers acquaintance as early on as most of you. i also
worked at a rival neighborhood venue at which i spent most of my
time. it wasnt until many years later, after we finally met and got
to know each other, that we discovered that we had so many friends in
common. roger welcomed me and glenn into the family with open
arms and the time that we missed knowing each other has dissolved
into nothing. we will always remember roger with love,
affection and gratiude for his friendship.
deborah and glenn (jauerstein)
I went by to see
Roger at around 8pm on Thursday night a week ago. He responded with a
nod and a smile to a joke that I told. I sat down and took out my old
D-28, the guitar I played during the early 70's and did four or five
songs: Southern Coast of France, Open My Third Eye Mama, Rambler and
a Gambler (a cowboy song that I just learned) and Everything Gonna Be
Fine (a lullabye I wrote for my son.)
It was a quiet evening with no other
visitors around. The bed and walls were populated with stuffed
animals and photos and mementos. A nurse stuck her head in and was
kind enough to say that it sounded nice.
I had the feeling that it wouldn't be
long. I'm glad I had an opportunity to see Roger before he took
leave.
I'm on the road in Kansas this coming
weekend, so I won't be able to make the memorial service. Please give
my love and regards to Gail and all of the folks you see there.
Yours,
don sanders
Dear Roger and Gail,
I will never forget the day I met
you. Scott brought me to Houston in Septemer, 1990. We
were here for two weeks and Deborah had a get-together at her
house. Scott told me all about the music group. I could
not believe and understand what he was telling me. Well, it did
not take long for me to figure it out. I remember standing on
the sidewalk talking to both of you and you two were really the first
people I met. I was so surprised at how this group of people
mixed, and Gail, you saw that right away. I was explaining
to you that I have never seen such a unique group of people like this
before. Gail, with your constant smiles and cute dimples, you
walked over to me, put your arms around me and said, hang around us,
welcome to the family and you will love us all. I had
to fight the tears and I looked at Roger and he smiled, also gave me
a hug and said, yep, its true. Well, here it is ten years
later. Thank you for the many, many smiles, laughs, good
times, caring and sharing. I will miss Roger a lot and Gail, I
admire your strengths. Thanks for being so accepting and we
consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have such a wonderful
extended family.
Love,
Susan and Scott Raeihle
Gail;
I pray for your strength and your
extended family to carry you through this trajedy.
I last saw Roger at the Urban Animal
Reunion and I was disappointed you were unable to come.
Roger was just being Roger and seemed
to never change.
I truly regret not having seen the both
of you more often over the years but your wedding is one of the most
poignant memories of an otherwise muchly misspent youth.
Love;
Ed and Anne Kish
I'm raising a glass
tonight in Roger's memory. Thinking about sitting at the front table
in the Fair getting transfusions of brown blood coffee, spaghetti
simmering on the vulcan hours before opening time, solving crossword
puzzles and all the world's problems (if anyone would have ever just
taken our advice). Thinking of Roger singing with the "Norman Chubby
Knuckle Choir" backing up Bill Satines on "Swing Low Sweet Chariot"
Thinking about Roger as the epitome of "Spirit" as we knew it. I'm
also playing "Bob Dylan's Dream" for him remembering him especially
in the verses:
With half-damp eyes I stared to the room
Where my friends and I spent many an afternoon
Where we together weathered many a storm
Laughin' and singin' till the early hours of the morn
I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
That we could sit simply in that room again
Ten thousand dollars at the drop of a hat
I'd give it all gladly if our lives could be like that
My deepest sympathy for your loss,
Gail, I am confident that Roger is blessed with the peace and joy he
so richly deserves,
Walter Spinks
You are my sunshine,
Just seems like yesterday that I first
had the pleasure to met you in Az. as my new brother in law. The dear
brother whom I have grown to love so very much over the years. Then I
had the pleasure to met my new sister at THE WEDDING!!!!!!!!
It has been my greatest pleasure to
have you both in my life and one that I will treasure always. Don't
worry about Gail, I will always be there for her we love her so much.
You will be missed so very much, but memories held close to the heart
never die.
Remember I LOVE YOU ALL THE WORLD.
IF TEARS COULD BUILD A STAIRWAY, AND MEMORIES A LANE,
I'D WALK RIGHT UP TO HEAVEN AND BRING YOU HOME AGAIN.
LILY
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF
THE WONDERFUL FRIENDS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR ROGER AND GAIL. EACH
AND EVERYONE OF YOU WILL ALWAYS HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR HEART.
YOU ARE ALL SUCH GREAT PEOPLE, AND IT WAS OUR PLEASURE TO BE ABLE TO
MEET SOME OF YOU.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL,
LILY & DEAN
Gail has asked that memoriums and remembrance be given in Roger's name to Anderson Fair, the nightspot that Roger co-founded, which has supported quality live music for decades.
