Roger James Berrong, 82, passed away Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at his home.
He was born March 16, 1936, in Clay County to the late Jesse Bon and Jessie Scroggs Berrong.
He attended Hayesville School and had to quit in the eighth grade to work. When he was 17, he went to Chicago, Ill. to work for 11 years before coming back to Clay County.
He owned and operated the Sinclair Station in Murphy for 10 years. During this time, he built and raced his own car No. 3 at Tri-County Raceway for three years. Red Schuyler always called him Hard Luck Berrong in his articles in the Cherokee Scout.
After selling the station, he went to work for Goodyear in Murphy as the service manager for four years. He then went to work for Burch Motors as service manager for seven years. Roger then worked for the N.C. Department of Transportation as a mechanic for 19 years until his retirement in 1999.
He raised gardens, worked in his shop and loved to sit on his porch.
Roger was a member of New Hope Baptist Church, where he enjoyed singing in the choir and testifying his love for his Lord and Savoir.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Mary Evelyn Crisp Berrong; and two brothers, Terry and Ralph Berrong.
He is survived by two daughters, Vicki Queen and husband Robbie and Debbie Mills and husband Keith, all of Hayesville; one son, Brad Berrong and Laurie Terry of Murphy; one sister, Carolyn Rogers of Hayesville; three brothers, Don Berrong of Hayesville, George Berrong of Powder Springs, Ga., and Johnny Berrong of Bellview; grandchildren, Blake Brooks of Hayesville, Tara Robinson of Hayesville, Justin Berrong of Hayesville, Jordan Berrong of Marble, McKenzie Terry of Charlotte and Cody Terry of Murphy; and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Townson Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Hayesville. The Rev. Aud Brown will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorials maybe made to New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, Carter Cove Road, Hayesville, or to Gideons International, Murphy.
You may send tributes to the Berrong family at www.townson-rose.com.
Townson Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.