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Roger Hale, 79

April 23, 1938 – June 14, 2017

Roger R. Hale resided in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, with Carolyn, his beloved wife of 56 years. Born and raised in Tulsa, Okla., where he met and married his college sweetheart and brought three children into the world, who then gave him nine grandchildren.

Roger attended Tulsa University and Coffeyville Junior College in Coffeville, Kan.

He was a college football player and an All-American shot and discus track athlete. Roger sold health and life insurance, serving as a sales manager for Penn Mutual and Lincoln National Life Insurance companies and later as an independent insurance agent for more than 50 years.

Roger was an avid banjo player and often played with legendary banjo professionals. He was featured in television programs and national banjo rallies throughout the U.S. and Canada. Roger played his banjo in a Tulsa band, which he helped form, known as The Green Country Trio. Most recently he played on Friday nights at the Silver Lake Mall in Coeur d’Alene and also played for many fundraisers including; the Children’s Village and the Coeur d’Alene Opera. His banjo and singing brought joy to retirement home residents throughout Oklahoma, Coeur d’Alene and surrounding areas. He was inducted into the American Banjo Museum’s Wall of Honor and served on the Board of Directors for the Museum as a founding member since 1998.

Roger was a state champion handball player in Oklahoma and he was a Member of Tulsa Rotary Club. He loved to hunt and fish, spend time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He did an amazing Donald Duck impersonation that always brought smiles to the faces of any child.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2017, at the Meadowbrook Community Hall, 8088 West Meadowbrook Loop, Coeur d’Alene.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests considering a donation to the American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City or Children’s Village in Coeur d’Alene.