Rodger Lee Upp

Rodger Lee Upp, 85 passed peacefully, surrounded by his family on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at the Arbors at Carroll.

Rodger is survived by his wife of 64 years, Janet (Nutter) Upp; daughters Delana (Donald) Vanover of Circleville; Lisa (Jon) Ankrom of Worthington, and Molly Clark and Dave Wright of Beavercreek.  He and Janet are blessed with six grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren and another blessing to arrive in September: Nicholas (Amanda) Upp, Mackenzie, Spencer and Eloise of Canton; Elizabeth (Blake) Adkins of Cleveland; Sam (Rosie) Ankrom, Annie of Grove City; Steven (Ashley) Clark, Noah of Summerville, SC; Sarah Clark of Centerville; and Grace Clark of Beavercreek.  He is also survived by his brother Frank (Judy) Upp of Lancaster and beloved nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Doris (Oatney) Upp and his sister, Lois Evans.

Rodger graduated from Lancaster High School in 1955 and then joined the US Marine Corp reserve.  He was still active in his LHS class events and reunions.  He was a long time, faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where he served on many committees, taught Sunday school, played on the softball, bowling and dartball teams, and was a member of the choir.

Rodger was a hard worker and epitomized a strong work ethic all of his life from the time he started delivering newspapers in the early morning before going to East School for the day, to helping his Dad deliver milk for the Home Dairy as he got a little older.  He worked many years at Ohio Motor Freight Tariff Committee in Columbus.  After leaving OMFTC, he moved to the Cleveland area (Medina) where he worked for CCC Highway Trucking and eventually retiring from R&L Carriers, Wilmington.

Over the last several weeks, many people have remarked that Rodger was always loving, kind, gentle, respectful, humble and truly thankful for everyone who touched his life.  He was placed here to teach us all how to be better people.  We all have been so blessed to have known and been loved by him and will cherish our time on earth with him until we meet again.

The family would like to thank everyone (doctors, nurses, aides, paramedics, lab technicians, food service, environmental workers) for all the wonderful, kind support over the last several years.  He fought a long and hard battle and couldn’t have done it without your help.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting Fairfield Disabilities, Fairhope Hospice, or St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Services will be held at Frank E. Smith Funeral Home, 405 N. Columbus St., Lancaster, Ohio on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.  There will be one hour of calling before the service.  Burial will take place in Floral Hills Memory Garden.

To leave an online condolence, and sign the guestbook, please visit www.funeralhome.com