In a town called Holdenville, not far or too near, A baby named Roger gave the world cheer. Born in the summer of ’48, He grew up strong, he grew up great. The youngest of six, with a sparkle and grin, He had music inside him, bursting within! With his mom he moved west, to sunshine and breeze, To Hawthorne, where palm trees sway with such ease. He went off to school — Lusinger, to be true, Then earned a full ride to Pepperdine U! He sang and he played with rhythm and rhyme, And music would stay with him all through his time. He worked with the county, machines all around, Where gears turned and hissed and made clunkity sound. But illness crept in — it slowed down his pace, Yet never could fully erase his grace. Though life gave him battles, and hardship and pain, Roger stood tall, again and again. He found strength in a room with coffee and chairs, Where stories were shared and folks said their prayers. In AA he found hope, found purpose anew, He showed what a sober man steady could do. With meetings in Hemet and Moreno Valley, He'd listen and laugh, and sometimes just rally. When his dear mother passed, he stayed on alone, But built up a life that he called his own. With music and memory, spirit and soul, He walked through his days with a meaningful goal. Though Roger has gone, his melody stays — In hearts and in meetings, in old sober ways. No more the pain, no more the strife, He’s found his peace at the end of this life. So lift up a tune, or hum a soft song, And think of dear Roger as you sing along. For though he has left us, he still lives in reach — In the music, the courage, the life of Roger Leach.