Roger Kent Linkous

Roger Kent Linkous, age 73, passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at his home following a courageous battle with cancer with his loving family by his side. Roger was born in Montcalm West VA on December 22, 1939 to Kenneth Linkous and Eleanor Proco Linkous. In 1954, at age 14, his family bought a farm in Cripple Creek, VA of Wythe County. One of his greatest joys was being on a tractor working on the land. He graduated from Rural Retreat High School in 1957 and has attended many of his high school reunions. In 1960 he married Phyllis Smelser and started his family. He moved to Abingdon and worked for Hamilton Oil Company for over 30 years and for the town of Abingdon for 9 years until his retirement in 2002. He was known as the "Street Sweeper". Roger was well known and respected by many people. He was a member of Galilee Christian Church in Wytheville, VA and was also one of the first members of the Washington County Moose Family Center Lodge 1966. He helped build the Lodge and had held every office. He had been a member since 1974.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Phyllis Smelser Linkous; an infant son, Roger Allen Linkous; brother, Donald Linkous; and two brother-in-laws, George Smelser and Mason Smelser.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sandy Linkous; daughter, Diane Linkous and fianc�© Bill Snodgrass; two sons, Randy Linkous and Keith Linkous and wife Tracy all of Abingdon, VA; step daughter, Brittany Rife and fianc�© Sean Kell of Marion, VA; five grandchildren, Kayla, Amanda, Ashli, Alex, and Rhiana who knew him as "PaPaw" and were his pride and joy; brother, Richard and wife Hoppy of Cripple Creek, VA; three sisters, Chris Bartree and husband Jim of Myrtle Beach SC, Judy Brewster and husband Dean of Greenville TN, and Brenda Saunders and husband John of Fredericksburg,VA; three special sister-in-laws, Margie Price and husband Roey of Bristol, VA, Brenda Smelser of Kingsport, TN, Barbara Jekel and husband Herb of Sherrill's Ford, NC; two brother-in-laws, Green Smelser of Richmond, VA and Dan Smelser and wife Susan of Lynchburg VA; and many nieces and nephews who loved and respected their uncle Reggie. He will be missed but never forgotten.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, August 19, 2013 at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. A funeral service will be held at 8:00 p.m., Monday at the funeral home with Reverend Preston Sartelle and Pastor Larry Brooks officiating. A committal service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 20th at Galilee Christian Church Cemetery in Wytheville, VA where David Bartee, Alex Blankenship, Trey Jones, Keith Linkous, Randy Linkous, and Johnny Saunders will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Barnes, Jerry Bartee, Jim Counts, Herb Jekel, Sean Kell, Bob Linkous, Roey Price, Perry Smelser, Bill Snodgrass, Roger Widener, and Members of the Washington County Moose Family Center Lodge 1966. Friends may visit at the home at any time.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Outreach Foundation, P. O. Box 1263, Abingdon, VA 24212, or to Total Home Care, 470 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Huff, Dr. Davis, the nurses and staff of the Cancer Center, and to caretakers, Stephanie, Rene�©, and Felica who are angels on Earth. We love and appreciate you girls.

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. The family of Roger Kent Linkous is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).