Obituary of Roger Ross Woerner

Roger Ross Woerner, 70, of Fort Worth, Texas was born March 2, 1954 and passed away September 23, 2024.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 11, 2024 at First United Methodist Church, 800 W. 5th Street, with a reception following the service.

Roger started life out at the Edna Gladney Home, where he was adopted by his loving and devoted parents Fred & Gene Woerner. One of Roger’s favorite stories to tell was how Edna Gladney herself pulled up in her black Cadillac to hand Roger off to his overly excited parents.

Roger’s younger years were filled with a multitude of family vacations and way too many stories to tell. Roger enjoyed playing sports namely football where he played offensive and defensive line for Trinity Valley. One story that Roger would tell of Trinity Valley High is that everyone would show up in their chauffeur driven limousines and he would pull up in his 57 Chevy. He loved those years. After High School, Roger would attend Stephen F. Austin (SFA) where he would go on to obtain his Bachelor of Forestry Degree. Roger was very successful and worked for Texas Utility (following in his father’s footsteps) for many years. Roger was also an entrepreneur, he owned his own business, Lawn Doctors, in the late 70’s to early 80’s. He also found success in managing a well-known restaurant in Dallas and surrounding areas named El Chico.  But despite all his other endeavors he finally found his dream job. Not really a job, but more of a passion, his love for special needs children, Roger was able to fulfill this passion by working for the last 20 years of his working career with special needs children. Roger taught and made a difference in many of children lives.

Roger was incredibly involved within the Eastern Hills neighborhood; he served as president of the Homeowners Association for many years. He had lived here since 1964 and that made him a great historian of the neighborhood. He was quick with a story of who lived where and when events happened. He also was heavily involved with the Citizens on Patrol program for the east side. Roger worked close with many of the police officers in the area to make sure every parade, homecoming or holiday event would go off without a hitch and that every child had fun and was safe. Roger served as COP captain for the eastside for many years.

Roger’s family started out small with Fred, Gene and Roger, but then he was blessed with two beautiful boys who over the years kept him hopping. Times might have been hard being a single dad, but these boys grew into amazing men, who he was very proud of. They shared so much with school, sports, oh the sports I think these boys tried everything, but as Roger did, they both played football. Roger didn’t miss a game.

As time went on, he married again to Debbie Woerner and into a much larger family. Roger was then blessed with another son and two daughters. He wasn’t ready for that. He always jokingly said wow, girls in the house make a whole lot of different noises.  

Over the years we added more to the family than we could have ever imagined. Ross Woerner and wife Laura blessed Roger with their three children Kiley, William and Charlee. Ben Woerner and wife Natalie, their three children Kaylie, Kylie, and Benson. Christy Pierce and husband Eric, their three children Cameryn, Chyanne and Cason. Michael Shane Cunningham. Nicole Hadl and her husband Ryan, their two children Emery and Abigail. All in all, I’d say his family grew quite a bit. He loved them with all his heart.

We will never forget all the family meals we shared (those steaks will never be beat) the man could barbecue. There were so many Holiday gatherings and with 5 kids and 11 grandchildren it seemed that it was always someone’s birthday. The vacations and cruises we shared together were the best of times.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents Fred & Gene and survived by wife Debbie, 5 children, 11 grandchildren and more family and friends then we could have ever imagined.