Roger passed away on Friday, July 2 at Valley Medical Center in Las Vegas. 

He was born February 8, 1947 in Bridgeport, the son of William (Bill) W. and Kathryn (Kate) E. (Kepler) Fortner. He was the oldest of three children. His younger sisters were Sharon K. Fortner (who married Richard Rathbun) and Sheila M. Fortner (who married Dale Christofferson). Roger grew up in and around the Sidney and Bridgeport areas. On December 8, 1963 he married Sandra (Sue) E. Cranmore in Bridgeport, presently of Lemoyne, Nebraska. On February 26, 1981 in Torrington, Wyoming he married Gail L. Anderson of Billings, Montana. 

During his adult life, Roger lived in North Platte, Nebraska; Torrington, Wyoming; Cheyenne Wyoming; and then settled in Las Vegas Nevada, where he retired after many years as a truck driver and Teamsters Union member. During his long career as a driver, he worked for Mayflower, Consolidated Freightways, and ABF Freight. In 1993, he was recognized for 10 years and one million miles of safe driving. 

Owning and riding motorcycles was a constant passion throughout Roger’s life. He regularly attended the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota. At the time of his passing, he owned at 2012 Harley Davidson FLHX Street Glide, which he bequeathed to his oldest grandson, Brant Brown of Big Springs, Nebraska. He also loved sports and Nascar, and he attended races at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 

Survivors include daughter Jan Brown of Chappell, Nebraska; son R. Scott Fortner of Menlo Park, California; daughter and son-in-law Lynette and Bill Hicks of Manchester, New Hampshire; daughter and daughter-in-law Rebecca and Shelley Hathaway of Manchester, New Hampshire; daughter and son-in-law Jillian and John Reynolds of Las Vegas, Nevada; and son Jacob Fortner of Las Vegas, Nevada. Roger is also survived by thirteen grandchildren: Brant Brown, Jenni (Brown) Dailey, Shelby (Brown) Elliott, Shania Brown, Tyler Hicks, Allyssa Hicks, DJ Gawron, Joe Gawron, Michael Reynolds, Lana Reynolds, JJ (Fortner) Hatch, Joshua Fortner, and Griffin Fortner; and seven great-grandchildren: Kerstin Brown, Claire Dailey, Bridger Elliott, Logan Elliott, Krew Elliott, Hailee Elliott, and Titus Elliott. Surviving Roger as well are special family friends Nancy Coleman of Las Vegas, and Joseph and John Meeker of Las Vegas, and countless others who frequented the Fortner home. He was preceded in death by second wife Gail, sisters Sharon and Sheila, and parents Bill and Kate.   

Roger had open heart, triple bypass surgery in 1988, and since then had confronted various cardiovascular and medical conditions. He passed over peacefully surrounded by people he loved and who loved him. Known affectionately as “Papa” by family and friends of all ages, he will be sincerely missed. A note in his own handwriting found in his papers after he passed reads, “Race the rain, ride the wind, chase the sunset,” and we hope he is doing just that.