Roger Jex Sturman

Roger Jex Sturman, 77, of Shelley, Idaho passed away on January 13, 2012.  With a good attitude, he fought cancer for almost three years.

He was born August 28, 1934 in Pocatello to the parents of Roderick Sturman and Grace Stout Sturman.  As a child he loved to roam the foothills and go fishing with his cousins.  At a young age he started clarinet lessons and later also played the saxophone.  He played in the Pocatello High School pep band.  After graduation he also played in a dance band.  He later went to work for Union Pacific Railroad and attended Idaho State University.  He also joined the Naval Reserves and was later drafted in 1953.  He was a sonar man aboard a destroyer.

On leave from the Navy, he went home to marry his best friend’s sister.  He married Velma Jean Gregersen on October 14, 1955 in the Idaho Falls temple.  They made their home in Long Beach, California where he was stationed.  After three years of Navy service he worked for electronic stores as salesman and manager.  Their five children were born in California.  He also attended college part time.  In 1971 the family moved to Lawrence, Kansas where he was production manager of a mobile home plant there.  When the plant closed down he went back to work for the railroad as an electrician and moved to Shelley.  He later became a locomotive engineer and the family moved to Utah in 1981.  Due to down-sizing, he took a railroad retirement.  Since he had so many talents and had taken every opportunity to gain education, he was able to work for Provo City in the facilities department.  He still kept busy as he was licensed to sell insurance and securities.  He was also a licensed electrician in 3 states.  After retirement, Roger and Velma moved back to Shelley.

Roger’s love was writing and wrote hundreds of articles for newspapers, mostly humorous.  He wrote “That’s Life” for the Springville Herald and Beaver Press in Utah and also “Grandpa Says” for the Shelley Pioneer in Idaho.  He had a great sense of humor and always loved a good clean joke.

Roger was always an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and served in many callings.  He served in Boy Scouts for 30 years.  Teaching the youth was something that he loved and served in Sunday School and Young Men programs.  He served a Stake Mission in California, and a 6 month mission at the church office building in Salt Lake City, as bishop of the Provo North Park 3

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Ward in Provo, and for 2 years as a counselor in a branch at the missionary training center.

Roger was preceded in death by his best friend and brother in law, Juel Gregersen, a sister-in-law, and a daughter-in-law.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, and his five children, Michelle (Wayne), Brent (Lisa) Craig (Brandie) Kristy (Blaine) and Joel.  He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, a sister Laraine, five aunts and one uncle.

There will be a viewing on Friday, January 20

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at Nalder Funeral Home located at 110 W. Oak in Shelley from 7:00-8:30 p.m.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 21

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at 11:00 a.m. at the 1

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, 4

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and 8

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ward building located at 184 N. Park.  There will be a viewing prior to the funeral from 9:00-10:40 at the church.