Roger Scott Potter

OREGON AND FORMERLY OF STOCKTON, MINN.Roger Scott Potter, 56, of Stockton and formerly of Dallas, OR passed away on April 26, 2014 at his parent's house surrounded by his family, after a brief battle with cancer.Roger was born on Oct 10, 1957 in Winona to Daryl and Beverly (Viestenz) Potter. He was the fourth out of eight children. He graduated from Winona Senior High in 1976 and enlisted in the Navy that summer. In the Navy, he served as a cook on the USS Albany and had the opportunity to see a lot of the world. After discharge from the Navy, Roger returned to Minnesota for a few years. He spent some time living in Colorado, then returned to Ely, Minnesota and worked for the DNR building trails. Roger moved to Oregon in 1982. While in Oregon, he worked mostly in construction having his own business, "Roger Potter Construction" for several years. In 1992 he met Kathy Bell who would become a big part of his life. Kathy had a baby girl, Kristina, who at a very young age Roger promised to always be her dad and be a part of her life. Over the years that bond has continued to grow into a beautiful father- daughter relationship. Roger is a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Stockton. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, the outdoors, woodworking and grilling out with his friends. Roger was always outgoing and was the first person to step in to help when needed. He was the kind of guy that once you met him, he was always a part of your life because he made it more fun, he was a true friend. He was respected and people cherished his sense of humor, he had a way of bringing out the best in people and seeing what others might not. He is survived by his parents, Daryl & Beverly of Stockton; daughter, Kristina and her mother Kathy of Dallas, OR; five brothers, Doug (Pattie) of Winona, Ron (Gwen) of Ely, MN, Mark (Renee) of Stockton, Lee (Tammy) of Stockton, and Bruce (Kim) of Lewiston; two sisters, Pam Johnson of La Crosse, WI and Tricia (Rich) Walania of Paola, KS; 20 nieces and nephews; and 10 great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Harlow & Esther Potter and Elmer & Edna Viestenz; and his infant nephew, Andrew Walania.By the request of the family memorials are preferred to Winona Health Hospice.Services for Roger will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, May 3, 2014 at Grace Lutheran Church in Stockton, MN with Reverend Merlin Stephan officiating. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. at the church before the service.Please share a memory of Roger, sign his online guestbook, and view his tribute video when it becomes available.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/486834