William "Tater Bug" Roger Harmon

William Roger Harmon, affectionately known as “Tater Bug” to family and friends, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2024. Born in Roanoke, Virginia, on March 18, 1946, to the late George Samuel Harmon and Melva Grace Kirk, he is also preceded in death by his wife, Diana Jane Edwards Harmon; brothers, Garland Harmon and Michael Harmon; sisters, Sue Ann Robison, Rebecca Woody, and Betty Tolley, as well as his precious canine companion, “Boo Boo.”

Roger was a veteran of the United States Army who proudly served three tours in Vietnam as a door gunner. Thirteen days before his last tour ended, the helicopter on which he was assigned was shot down; thankfully, he came home. Roger was a collector who saw value in ordinary things, like Zippo lighters and diecast cars and trucks; he still treasured the red Radio Flyer wagon that his father gave to him as a child. He spent many years working as a long-haul truck driver which took him all over the country and added nifty things to his collections.

Those left to cherish his memory are his former wife and special friend, Martha Brooks; adopted son, Michael Clingenpeel; grandson, Christoper Parrish; special friends, Jim and Pat Garrison and John and Rita Boggs, as well as numerous in laws, nieces, nephews, “outlaws” and friends.

The family will welcome friends for visitation on Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home, Salem; Services will be held on Friday, March 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment with military honors immediately following the service in Church Hill Cemetery, Palmer Avenue, Salem.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/donate or to the Disabled American Veterans by visiting www.dav.org and clicking the red donate button.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.