Roger James Capper, 81 of Apopka, Florida, USA passed though the veil of life on December 21, 2021, his dementia having already pushed him through the veil of reality. Roger was born 1940 in West Kirby, England. The eldest son of Samuel “Harry” and Eleanor (Thomason) Capper. He was the first to come and the first to go leaving brothers; Douglas, his wife Jacky, Phil, his wife Kathy and their families to remember him. He spent his early years in England until in 1947 the family moved to South Africa where he completed his elementary education. They returned to England enjoying life on a poultry farm and where Roger matriculated from Clitheroe Royal Grammar School. He found an ad looking for young men to join the British South Africa Police. Being too young to apply through the recruitment office in England they recommended he go to Rhodesia and sign up there. Roger decided he had enough of Mud Island and chickens, although he did mention that he was quite fond of the pigs, so the family packed up and returned to Africa. On December 15, 1958 Roger became new recruit number 5936. While with the police force he attended the Federal Post Office Engineering College where he studied radio communications and theory. He enjoyed an illustrious and adventurous career with the BSAP, eventually retiring on May 1, 1980 as Chief Inspector (technical) stationed in Salisbury with the CIO Special Branch. During his time in Salisbury he married the love of his life Renate (Götz) and was blessed with a daughter, Natasha and son, Rolf.
After retirement from public service, he built an entrepreneurial career in telecommunications. This eventually afforded him and the family the opportunity to immigrate to the United States. Roger, along with Renate, successfully ran RF International in Apopka, Florida for more than 10 years. During that time along came daughter number two, Tanya. Once Roger retired in July 2000, he took to the role of field trip chaperone, carpool driver and daddy extraordinaire to new heights. Never one to shy from perfection, attention to detail and gadgets in general he made all sorts of upgrades to their home. His quick wit and social media savy were enjoyed by many, especially his daughters and members of the BSAP Regimental Association. Roger was a very active lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 10147 where he especially enjoyed sharing stories of his adventures in Africa.
Sadly, in 2016 Roger was diagnosed with dementia. The disease eventually robbing him of the ability to share all the stories he so loved to tell; and boy could he ever tell a good story. It is one of many things he will be remembered for.
Roger is survived by his wife, Renate of almost 53 years; eldest unmarried daughter, Natasha; son, Rolf; youngest daughter and pony, Tanya (Nathan Shaw), brothers Douglas (Jacky) and Phil (Kathy). He was predeceased by his parents Eleanor (Thomason) and Samuel “Harry”; parents in law Stefan and Elizabeth Götz; daughter in law, Sophia (Silva).
In lieu of flowers or gifts please donate to the VFW Apopka Altamonte Post 10147 https://www.vfwpost10147.org/ or to the charity of your choice supporting the research and treatment of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
If you would like to hear the whole story… the family invites you to attend Roger’s celebration of life on January 22, 2022, 10am at Loomis Funeral Home 420 West Main Street, Apopka, FL 32703 (407) 880-1007
This heritage started 67 years ago with Pastor Herbert F. Loomis, who founded the First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1934. In 1938 Francis E. Loomis, son of Pastor Herbert F. Loomis, received his license to practice Mortuary Science and in 1941 established Loomis Funeral Home of Winter Garden, FL. 
420 W Main St
Apopka, FL 32712-3452
Mark Milliron says
Natasha and family sending condolences to you all . Your Dad sounds like he was a great man . May your memory of his best life comfort and keep you.
Melissa Ann Poole-Dubin says
My deepest sympathy. Though we have not seen each other in a while, y’all became part of my family in those first Air Force days. Both Mom and Dad Capper have such a special place in my heart. He will be greatly missed and was certainly a beautiful light in this world. Prayers for peace and that when you remember him it is with nothing but smiles.
Love, Melissa
Rosemarie (nee Ferreira) Smallman says
What an awesome man. Sorry to all the family for your loss. He and family were our dear neighbours in Salisbury, Rhodesia and my sister Michele loved baby sitting the kids and Roger and Renata would help her with her homework and his wisdom. RIP dear Roger.
Brian Hauser says
The Hauser family in Australia send love and hugs as we remember with such joy Roger. He lives on in his friendship to Gill and Alan and as adopted uncle to Miriam and Brian. We have such wonderful memories of our times together in Salisbury Rhodesia.That cheeky twinkle in the eye that we were lucky to see 2 years ago when Brian, Belinda and Lucas visited and last saw Roger. Thank you for all your wise council and humour. A life well lived that lives on in his amazing family. Love always.
Jim Collins says
Roger , God bless and keep you, have missed seeing and talking to you these last years. Say hello to Dad for me, we had such good times and fun, at the post, everyone that knew you is happy that you are no longer in pain, and I bet you are sharing all the good stories with everyone in heaven, where you now reside, hang in old buddy some time we will meet again, much love
João Silva says
Roger, God Bless you for all you did in mentoring me and others.
Really sad with the news.
Condolences to the family and friends. MHSRIEP
Denise Ferreira Odendaal and Gerrie and family says
To the Capper family. We are do sorry for your loss but enjoy the memories. We loved seeing you all in 1982 .. on our way home when we went to Canada for my sister’s wedding. God bless you all. Amen
Miriam Carter says
Roger, so blessed to have had you as my Godfather. Wish we had been nearer so that I could have learnt more from you. You will always hold a special place in my heart. Sending love to Renate, Natasha, Rolf and Tanya. Thinking of you so much. Hoping time will ease the pain of your loss and the happy memories grow stronger. Love always.
Michele, Carlos, Scott Mendonca says
Roger and Renate were our next door neighbours back in Northampton Crescent, Eastlea, Salisbury, Rhodesia and I soon became their baby sitter for their 2 oldest kids, Natasha and Rolf. I truly enjoyed that honor.
I learnt so much from Roger as he like to know what I was learning and he always challenged me often to learn even more. I always considered him as my favourite encyclopedia, (before we even had “Google”), always was a source and wealth of information, always willing to help and challenge me. Both Roger and Renate and their family are truly loving and caring family that I feel not only to part of but including my husband and son.
Many years later both of us on another continent, we were lucky to both share a few momentous ocassions together, one being when their daughter Tanya came into their world. Well then 9 months later, my husband and I welcomed our son, Scott. Now we both had kids who hung out together whenever we visited on holidays to Florida. It was wonderful for us both to have this new bond.
We were blessed in 2016 (thanks to Tanya), to have them come visit us for a night in the Okanagan Valley, BC, enroute to Alaska. Even then I was amazed by our Roger of the things he remembered about Carlos and myself when were dating that even we had forgotten about. Then last year when video chatting with Renate and Roger, that hesomehow remembered me as the “babysitter”.
Roger you will never be forgotten and you will certainly be missed by us all. Say hello to my folks for us. We will always feel like family with you all. God Bless and keep you all in His embrace..your extended family. Chele, Carlos,Scott and all the Ferreira girls.
🙏❤🙏❤🙏
Paul Garnett says
Roger, sir, rest in peace.
One of the icons of the British South Africa Police.
Sincere condolences to his family.
9095
Hank Bresler says
So sad to hear this news.
We chatted quite a bit on social media. I was Rev. Hank, and then sadly lost touch when I contracted in Mozambique.
Belated condolences to family and friends. He was a wonderful soul.
MHDSRIP.