Roger Arthur Cardwell, 79
Born Aug. 2, 1932, in Stockton, Calif.
Departed Oct. 2, 2011
Roger Arthur Cardwell (nee Price) was born Aug. 2, 1932, in Stockton, Calif., to Archibald Arthur Price and Lillian Hoke Helms.
Archie and Lillian separated in 1941 and divorced in 1944, thereby leaving Roger to live with Archie's mother "Nana" in Merced at age 9. "Nana" passed in 1945 and Roger went to live with Lillian's parents, Roger was an only child, as was his mother, so there are no aunts or uncles.
He finished high school at El Cerritto High School in California and went on to the University of California, Berkeley. The Korean War interrupted college and Roger volunteered in the U.S. Army Security Agency for three years. He luckily was admitted to the Language School in Monterey, Calif., for their 48-week course in Russian. He graduated in January 1954 and was sent to Germany as part of a detachment that listened and recorded Russian military radio traffic.
After his three years, he was discharged with the rank of Corporal and returned to Oakland, Calif. He went to work for Standard Stations Inc. as he prepared to return to college. His military time and 48-week language course was equal to 26 units of college work and he was thus able to cut his total college time to three years total to earn a degree of Bachelor of Science by 1958.
He met his Swedish bride, Mona-Lisa on a train in Germany, and they married in 1955. They raised four children in the San Francisco Bay Area; Roger worked as an Outside Salesman for Addressagraph-Multigraph, and later purchased two 7-Eleven Stores in Union City, Calif. Roger and Mona retired in Coeur d'Alene in 1992.
Roger left us early on Sunday morning, Oct. 2, 2011; he was diagnosed with cancer in July. He accepted his fate with dignity and grace. All that knew him loved him and cherished his friendship; he will be deeply missed by everyone.
Roger leaves behind his wife, Karen Cardwell; son Gregory Cardwell and wife Susan of El Dorado Hills, Calif.; daughter Lisa Vesciano and husband Michael of Coeur d'Alene; son-in-law Dennis Duff; daughter-in-law Tina Cardwell; 10 grandchildren; twin great-granddaughters; Karen's four children and her seven grandchildren.
Roger's first wife, Mona-Lisa; son Mark Arthur Cardwell and daughter Viveca Lynn Duff, precede him in death.
A service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, at Church of Christ on Fourth Street in Dalton Gardens.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution please donate to the Coeur d'Alene Christian school or Hospice of North Idaho.
Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel, is entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Roger's online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.