(Attended Bryan High School)
Roger Assid Essi, age 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, surrounded by family.
Roger Assid Essi was born May 22, 1934, in Bryan, the oldest son of Roger M. and Madeline F. (Dietels) Essi. He grew up in Bryan and attended Bryan High School before joining the military.
Roger is survived by his wife of 60 years, Martha (Weaver) Essi; his five children, Regina (Steven) Spaeth of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Rhonda (Edward) Newhouse of Charlotte, North Carolina, Rita (Justice) Lasyone of Humble, Texas, David (Sarah) Essi of Olympia, Washington, and Michael Essi of Seattle, Washington; 15 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roger M. Essi and Madeline F. (Dietels) Essi; brother, Richard W. Essi; and brother, Ronald A. Essi.
Roger served in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) for 30 years. Roger in his youth was an avid bowler and met his wife Martha while serving in the USMC at Paris Island, South Carolina where he corrected her bowling technique, and they fell in love and married.
Together they were public servants for the military and communities they lived in and raised five children. Roger was a devout Catholic who was very involved with the church and raised his family with Christian values.
Visitation will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, from 10–11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Bryan. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in the church, burial to follow in Fountain Grove Cemetery with the Father Andrew Wellmann officiating. Military rites will be accorded by the combined Bryan American Legion and VFW Honor Detail and the U.S. Marine Corp Honor Guard. Funeral luncheon will be served at St. Patrick Catholic Church following the committal and veteran’s services.
Feeding the hungry was an important mission of Roger and the family requests memorial donations to Cross Catholic Outreach to feed the hungry Crosscatholic.org/outreach.
Local funeral arrangements entrusted to: Krill Funeral Home, Bryan. The Essi family lovingly prepared the obituary for Roger.