Roger Charles Trueax of Irrigon passed away on May 6, 2025 in The Dalles at the age of 76.
He was born on May 20, 1948 in Redmond to Henry and Margaret Wallenburg Trueax.
Roger spent his childhood in the Terrebonne area, where he attended local schools. After graduating from Redmond High School and taking classes at Central Oregon Community College, he joined the U.S. Army and served on active duty during the Vietnam War.
In the late 1970s Roger moved to Eastern Oregon, where he made his home in Irrigon for many years. He dedicated most of his career to working at the Umatilla Army Chemical Depot as a chemical weapons operator.
A devoted community member, Roger was actively involved with the Lions Club in Irrigon, Umatilla, and Heppner. He served as district governor and held several other leadership roles, always focused on giving back to the local communities. He also taught hunters’ safety courses in both Irrigon and Umatilla for over 50 years.
Roger enjoyed horseback riding, RVing, and reading western novels. He cherished visiting his grandfather’s homestead at Smith Rock State Park in Central Oregon.
He married Karleen Sykes in 1968 in Culver and together they had two children, Charles (Chuck) and Daletta. The couple later divorced. On July 22, 2001, Roger married Paula Tillery in Umatilla.
Roger is survived by his wife, Paula; daughter, Daletta (Matthew) Gonzales; son, Charles (Chuck) Trueax; stepdaughter, Stephanie Tillery; grandchildren,
Tavin, Llyssa, DJ, Deion, Ashley, Alec, Colin, Hayden, and Tristen; great-granddaughter, Annalise; sister, Frances Blair; and many extended family members.
A viewing will be held on Monday, May 12, 2025 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel, 685 W. Hermiston Ave.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at Desert Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Irrigon.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation.
