Roger Temple Ii

Temple II, Roger William - Age 74, of Linden, died September 27, 2022. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements provided by Sharp Funeral Home & Cremation Center 6063 Fenton Rd. Grand Blanc. In lieu of flowers those desiring may make contributions to your local shelter, food bank for the needy, or The Salvation Army in memory of Roger Temple. Roger was born September 2, 1948 in Bay City the son of Roger William and Clarabel (Bedford) Temple. He is survived by his brother, Ralph and many cousins. Tributes may be shared on the obituaries page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com .

Although Roger was diagnosed with Down Syndrome, it never ever never troubled  him. He was very active and functional. He enjoyed socializing, he enjoyed movies, he enjoyed going to Cobo Hall in Detroit to watch pro wrestling, he didn’t drink, he had a driver’s license, he had a car for many years, he never got lost and he never had an accident. He was never mean, angry or resentful; he never complained, and rarely asked for help. He was resourceful. He always found odd jobs for extra cash in addition to his SSI check and food stamps.

He attracted people willing to help him, especially at the Flint Fire Stations, and the teams at the baseball fields where he collected bottles and cans, and the friends he made at Burton Place apartments. He knew where all the soup kitchens were and had his favorites. He earned his GED diploma with the encouragement of those who knew he could do it.

For years, he would buy hundreds of Christmas cards at a steep discount right after Christmas day. He signed them all with “Roger” and during the next holiday season he gave them all to merchants and shoppers at the Flint shopping malls, with a “Merry Christmas” greeting and wearing a red stocking cap with a snowball tassel. He enjoyed being like Santa that way, but occasionally he got a card in return, and a few even with something extra in the envelope!

Roger wasn’t perfect. His hygiene wasn’t so hot; hee rolled and smoked his own cigarettes (until he finally quit); he had occasional flings at the slot machines; and he could really eat a lot. Even so, he was a Good soul and a beautiful child of God, and he always will be wherever he is. Those who knew him can joyfully say Thank You God for Roger.