Roger Utley

Col. Roger Ray Utley, USAF ret, of Sherwood, passed away October 27, 2015 after a 15 year battle with cancer. He was born in Temple, Oklahoma in 1933, to Magnolia and Raymond Utley. He graduated from Oklahoma State University (then Oklahoma A&M) with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He was discharged after three years, but in 1962 was recalled to active status due to the infamous Bay of Pigs. He remained active Air Force for the next 29 years, during which time he was domiciled in 12 different states and 3 different countries, earned a MBA from Webster University and graduated from Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. He was exceedingly proud of being a C-130 command pilot and was the first Air Force pilot to complete more than 1,000 combat support sorties in the Republic of Vietnam. At the time of his retirement, he had accumulated over 10,000 flying hours. His proudest achievement though was serving as Commander of the 32nd TAS at Little Rock AFB, a unit that was ultimately designated Squadron of the Year in 1976. He officially retired at Travis AFB, California, in 1989, then flew commercially for Southern Air Transport until his retirement and relocation to Arkansas in 1995. Col Utley is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jo Anne (Cox), son Scott (Cathy) and daughter Karen Ritchey (Lewis) and three granddaughters, Kate, Hope & Alex Ritchey, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Charles Maclin Utley and an infant sister. His late mother would wish it be noted he never missed Sunday school or Church for 12 continuous years. Memorial services will be Monday, November 2, at 11 a.m. at Lakewood Methodist Church, in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Internment at the Arkansas State Veterans' Cemetery (North Little Rock, Arkansas) with full military honors will precede the church service and is scheduled at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Disabled American Veterans, VARO, Building 65, Room 121, Ft. Roots, North Little Rock, Ark, 72114, or the Arkansas Foodbank,4301 West 65th Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72209. Arrangements are by Huson Funeral Home in Sherwood. Sign an online guestbook at www.husonfuneralhome.com. Sleep well dear prince and may angels light thy way.