John “Roger” Lee Abeyta

John “Roger” Lee Abeyta, 61, went to forever be with the Lord on Feb. 11, 2012, at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with family by his side.

The family will be celebrating his life at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at the Living Springs Free Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Roger was born on Nov. 29, 1950, to Felix and Clorinda Abeyta in Denver, Colo. He received his education in Denver and remained a loyal Denver Broncos fan. He had a wonderful childhood and many of his cousins were his best friends. Together they enjoyed playing football, baseball, tennis, skiing, golf and other sports. 

Roger spent many years in Bonners Ferry beginning in the early 1970’s, where his main occupation was working with concrete. He also enjoyed helping family members with construction projects.

He had a great love for the outdoors and open road traveling and lived in California and Nevada.  He then moved to Hawaii for several years in the early 1990’s, loving the sun and the surf.  He later returned to Idaho to be closer to his family.

They will all miss him very much and remember him as a gentle giant with his funny little chuckle and a great love for God, his family and friends.

Roger is survived by his son, Roy Abeyta of Coeur d’ Alene; his daughter, Stacey Gonzales of Denver, Colo.;  grandchildren, Matthew, Mason, Madison, Ruben, Loren and Kaleigh. Roger’s siblings are Lucy (Doug) Jensen, Patricia (Mike) Youngwirth, Linda Lopez, and Larry Abeyta all residing in Bonners Ferry,  Judy (Alan) Dillin of Ephrata, Wash.,  and David (Rhonda) Abeyta of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Clorinda Abeyta and sister, Reina Hedding.