Sep 2, 1960 - Jan 11, 2024

  CHS 1977

Roger Andrew Munger, 63, died January 11 after a long battle with melanoma. Roger was born on September 2, 1960 in Covina. He attended elementary school in Glendora. When the family moved to Claremont, he attended  junior high at La Puerta and graduated from Claremont High School in 1978. He earned a B.S. in business from Cal Poly Pomona.

“As a child, Roger was active, always in motion, impetuous, living fully in the moment,” his family shared. “In Kindergarten his teacher told his mother that he entered class with great energy, went to a table and quickly slid to the other end — she said she just loved him!”

His mother, Benna, stated that in raising him he made her a better teacher. He taught her about the need to vary activities, include movement, provide different types of instruction, and ensure that students are not bound to their seats. She often consulted him when she was struggling to connect with a student.

“Roger traveled to the beat of a different drum,” his family said. “He made everything fun, was carefree, had a great sense of humor, possessed an adventurous spirit and always had a story. He was the life of the party.

“Roger had a quality that seems more rare today: he was wholly accepting of others, never judgmental. Perhaps that is the reason he had such a wide and varied collection of friends.”

He owned a tree service for many years until his illness no longer allowed him to continue.

He was preceded in death by his father, Phil, who died from heart failure in 2020. “After his father’s passing, Roger looked after his mother with loving attention,” his family added. “He was masterful in shopping for groceries and utilized his great culinary skills to cook wonderful meals that he shared with his mother most every afternoon. Roger took on the task of landscaping his mother’s yard to reflect the grounds of the park across the street. This was completed just a few months ago.”

He is survived by his mother, Benna Munger of Claremont; older sister Rhonda (Gary) Jillson, of Sacramento; nephew Benjamin, and nieces Valerie, Kimberly, and Jamie; and his faithful furry friend, Little Nick. In addition, he is survived by cousins Robin and Kym, who were like siblings to him. There are also many other family members living in the northwest who survive him.

His mother wishes to express her immense gratitude to her neighbors and friends, in addition to family, who have provided loving assistance and support.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 27 at Upland Brethren in Christ Church, 845 W. Arrow Hwy., Upland, CA 91786.  Refreshments will be served immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Priceless Pet Rescue pricelesspetrescue.org/donate, or by check to 15350 Fairfield Ranch Rd., Suite I,Chino Hills, CA 91709.