Roger Symms

Roger M. Symms, 83 of Matthews, died peacefully Thursday, October 24, 2024 in Carmel, Indiana.

Roger was born on November 29, 1940 in Fort Wayne, IN, the son of the late Roger G. and Wilhelmenia (Taken) Symms. He graduated from Northside High School in 1958. After graduation he attended Purdue University for 3 years until he was drafted into the Army. He proudly served his country for 2 years before he was honorably discharged. He was stationed primarily at Fort Armador, Panama.

Roger married Barbara Jo Dickerson on September 29, 1967. The celebrated 55 years of marriage before Barbara preceded him in death on November 6, 2022.

After his military time, he began his long career in retail management, starting at W.T. Grant's Department Store, then Ayr-Way, and retiring in 2005 from Target Muncie where he was the store manager.

Roger and his family settled in Matthews, IN in 1976 where he was a longtime volunteer Fireman and EMT for the Matthews Volunteer Fire Department. In February 2024, he moved to Copper Trace Assistive Living to be closer to family, and made many new friends and was elected Vice-President of the Resident Council.

Roger loved to take care of his yard and birds, and was always up for a walk or an adventure. He was avid collector of coins and Warwick China. He was a great story teller (maybe with a little embellishment), loved a good Manhatten cocktail, and was quite the jokester.

Roger is survived by daughters, Leah (Brett) Frazier, Jonesboro, Nikki (Mike) Taylor, Castle Rock, Colorado, and Michelle "Telly" (Ernie) Juan, Noblesville; grandchildren, Noel (Justin) Hearn, Sydney Frazier, Grant Taylor and EJ Juan; great grandchildren, Nolan and Nash Hearn.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, sister Lois Isler, and brother Barney Symms.

Services for Roger will be held at the Fairmount Chapel of Life Celebration Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 S. Main Street, Fairmount, Indiana. The family will receive visitors Friday November 1, from 3-5 PM with Military Honors at 5:00 PM followed by a Life Celebration Service. Internment will be at Matthews Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital at www.stjude.org or Second Harvest Bank, 6621 Old State Road 3, Muncie, Indiana 47303.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com