Roger Arlen Mccumber

Roger McCumber died peacefully on June 3, 2023. He was 79. Roger was born in LaGrande, Oregon on September 23, 1943, to Frank “Dick” McCumber and Hilda (Jones) McCumber. He spent his early years on the family ranch in Sparta, Oregon before moving to Baker City to start school in 1949. In 1950 the family moved to Mt Vernon, Oregon where he continued to live until his high school graduation in 1961. Upon graduating, Roger left for Air Force Basic Training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. After basic he was stationed at Seymour-Johnson AFB for the duration of his Air Force career.

While he was home on his first leave, Roger attended a community dance in Crane, OR. That night he met Janet McCrae and a friendship began. For the next four years they exchanged letters and saw each other on an occasional leave. After being discharged in 1965, he and Jan were married on June 18, 1966, in Burns, OR. They honeymooned in British Columbia before relocating to Klamath Falls, OR where he pursued an education in engineering. After graduating in 1968, the couple moved to the Portland area to embark on a career at Tektronix and to begin their family. Their first daughter, Becky, was born a few months later and was soon joined by Amy, Jennifer, Leanna and finally, Richard.

Roger worked at Tektronix for 18 years before moving on to Leupold and Stevens where he worked until his retirement in 2012. When he wasn’t working, Roger loved to read, bowl, hunt, camp at Jack Creek, take nature photos, work on family history, root for the Blazers and to garden. His roses in particular were legendary, and his yard was beautiful year round. After retiring, he and Janet were able to travel to many places including Alaska, Hawaii and Scotland.

Roger is survived by his devoted wife, Jan; daughters, Becky (DuWayne Layton), Amy (Chris Berg), Jennifer (Josh Komp) and Leanna (Jeff Thayer); his son, Richard McCumber (Stacy); sixteen grandchildren, Christopher Layton, Mackenzie Hanson, Austin Layton, Kaila Key, Elyssa Jensen, Bryson Layton, Morgan Berg, Jackson Thayer, Delaney Layton, Grant Berg, Ainsley Thayer, Avery Berg, Ashlynn Komp, Emery Thayer, Lawson Komp and Liam Thayer; seven great-grandsons, Teddy, Tommy, Nathan, Ben, Charlie, Sterling and Archie; as well as two more who will be joining the family soon; he is also survived by one brother, Lyle McCumber (Linda); sister in-law, Charlotte McCumber; brother in law, Jason McCrae (Amanda); and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Hilda McCumber; sister, Millie Butler; brothers, Neil McCumber and Rob McCumber; and a granddaughter, RyeLynn McCumber.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 29017, Portland, OR 97296 or online at https://give.ohsufoundation.org/