Lt. Col. Roger Wilkes

Retired Lt. Col. Roger Sydney Wilkes

Retired Lt. Col. Roger Sydney Wilkes, 90, of Layton, UT, passed away peacefully in his home Sunday, October 8, 2017.  He was born September 26, 1927, to Sydney Edgar Wilkes and Ella May (Rogers) Wilkes in Union, NJ.  He graduated from Staunton Military Academy in 1944 and immediately joined the Merchant Marines “to see the world.”

Roger knew as a young boy that he wanted to fly airplanes.  In May, 1950, he enlisted in the United States Air Force to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot.  While stationed at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC, he was set up on a blind date with Joyce Virginia Walton whom he married on February 16, 1953.  Roger served as a veteran of two wars, Korea (1951-1952) and Vietnam (1967-1968) where he earned several medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross.  He retired from Hill Air Force Base on May 31, 1970 and continued to stay busy providing for his family as a private pilot flying corporate aircraft.  In his last years, what lit up his eyes the most was reminiscing about his experiences serving his country in the U.S. Air Force.  Although when asked, “If you had to do one thing over again, what would it be?”  He would respond with, “Be with family.”

On March 8, 1978, Joyce passed away.  Roger later married Carolyn Boley (Wilkes) on November 7, 1981.  Together they successfully blended a family of nine children, all of whom deeply loved, respected and cared for Roger.

Roger is survived by his wife (and 2nd blind date) of 36 years, Carolyn (Boley) Wilkes, his daughter Barbara (Steve) White, daughter Sherry (Kevin) Bullock, son James (Jaymi) Wilkes, son Stephen (Tauni) Wilkes, son Brian (Sue) Wilkes, his bonus children: son Rick (Kathy) Boley, son Paul (Renee) Boley, son Tom (Donna) Boley, daughter Angela (Chris) Cooper.  He has 22 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.  Roger was preceded in death by his wife of 25 years, Joyce Virginia (Walton) Wilkes.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 16, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.  Friends may visit family Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, East Lawn Cemetery, Provo, UT on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at 12:00 p.m.

The family would like to express gratitude to the staff at Country Niche Adult Day Care for the excellent care given to Roger.  A special thanks to Roger’s personal care givers, Carolyn, David, Mindy and Kelsey.