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