Roger Joseph Janis, 81, of Kingwood, passed away on Feb. 17, 2022, at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, with his family by his side.
He was born in Gallitzin, Pa., on Aug. 25, 1940, to the late Rose Gaydos and Frank Janis. After leaving high school, he joined the United States Navy where he served nine years as a radioman. He served on the USS Johnston (DD821) destroyer and completed a three-year tour in Oslo, Norway, during his time as a sailor.
After leaving the Navy, he moved to West Virginia and began working for AT&T International Earth Station in Etam in 1969. He was a satellite communications technician until his retirement in 2002, completing 33 years of service. He was a member of the CWA union and the Telephone Pioneers.
He was active in the Kingwood community for many years. He was a councilman for the city in the 1970s, where he assisted in getting funding for the building of the civic center and also served on the zoning board for the city. He was scout master of the Kingwood Boy Scouts. He helped start the Civic Center Basketball program, worked with the Kingwood Pop Warner Football program and Little League Baseball program, was a member of the Central Preston Band Boosters, a member of and held many offices, including president, of the Kingwood Lions Club and the Kingwood Kiwanis Club, a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, a lifetime member of Kingwood VFW Post 826 and was a volunteer for the 1985 Flood Cleanup.
He was an avid Mountaineer and Pittsburgh Steeler fan. He enjoyed his season football tickets for many years until his health declined.
He is survived by his loving wife Zoe, of 59 years: three children, Paula Janis, of Kingwood, Rick (Ranaee) Janis, of Chester, Va., and Tonya Janis and companion Mark Knuckles, of Millersville, Md.; two grandchildren, Ryan Janis of Chester, Va., and Rachel Janis and fiancé Zack Hamm, of Killen, Ala.; sister, Neva (Bob) Stevens, of Tucson, Ariz.; goddaughter, Sherry (Jake) Sopko, of Medina Ohio; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by a brother, Larry Janis, of Nanty Glo, Pa.; and a nephew, Craig Stevens, of Tucson, Ariz.
Friends may call at the Rotruck-Lobb Kingwood Chapel, 295 South Price St. from noon until the time of the funeral service in the funeral home chapel at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24, with the Rev. Brian Detrick officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Kingwood. Military Honors will be accorded by the Preston County and the U.S. Navy Honor Guards. Masks and social distancing are
recommended.
Condolences:
www.rotruck-lobb.com
