Roger Brinklow

Roger Lynn Brinklow, age 73, of West Fargo, ND, died Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Veterans Administration Medical Center, Fargo, ND.

Roger was born March 20, 1950, to Joseph and Betty Brinklow in Winchester Virginia.  He attended school in Stephens City, Virginia.

Roger enlisted in the Air Force and found himself stationed in Grand Forks, ND.  There he met Susan Lorene Crowe and when first setting eyes on her, asked her to marry him.  However, there was a little problem: although Susan was 21, Roger was only 20 and not of legal age to get married without two parental signatures in North Dakota.  After several attempts with the Clerk of Court in ND, they discovered 20 was old enough in South Dakota! This prompted a trip to Aberdeen with Susan’s sister, Judy, and her husband, Alvin. A letter in hand from mom giving them permission to marry was all they needed.  Judge Moses helped them tie the knot on May 22, 1970.

Roger and Susan loved children.  They opened their hearts and their home. Soon they had 4 chosen children and a very busy household. 

After 9 years in the Air Force, Roger joined the Police Force and served as Chief of Police in Burlington, ND. In 1981, they moved to Wahpeton where he went to NDSCS for graphic design. When he graduated, he took a job with the Wahpeton Globe-Gazette.

It was there they began attending Calvary Apostolic Church.  Here, their lives were to be forever changed. This New Birth Experience gave Roger a reason to live.  Roger had a great bass voice and he loved to sing.  His voice would resonate as he tapped his fingers to the rhythm of some of his favorite songs, which included, “The Hallelujah Side”, “Just a Little Talk with Jesus” and last but not least, his favorite kids’ song “Who’s the King of the Jungle?”  Two days before his death, although his strength was gone and the effects of Alzheimer’s had taken its toll, Roger’s lips were mouthing the words as we sang one last time with him, “Everybody Ought to Know Who Jesus Is.”

Roger and Susan’s love for kids was well known by those who knew them.  Kids always knew they would be spoiled by him as he had a very hard time saying no!  Some would call him Uncle; others would call him Friend.  One of Roger’s last jobs was driving school bus in West Fargo, ND.  Once a month his passengers knew they could look forward to a BIG CANDY BAR!

In 2004, following a major heart attack, Roger had open heart surgery.  His surgeon said he could only guarantee him about 7 years to which Susan replied,  “He needs at least 17!  We need to celebrate 50 years!”  Well, Roger and Jesus beat the odds: Roger and Susan did celebrate 50 years and a little more!

Life at the end was not what they had planned.  Maple View Memory Care became his home and Susan found herself making many trips armed with goodies and Diet Coke, his favorite pop. She is thankful for the care given to Roger while he was a resident there. Her love and devotion were rewarded when just a few short days before his death, she bent over before leaving the hospital to say good night and I love you, to which he responded, “I love you too!”  Words she will never forget!

A celebration of Roger’s life is planned at Changing Lives Tabernacle where he had been a faithful member for many years.  To Roger, his church friends were like family.

Roger is survived by his wife, Susan, his children, Earl, Dale, Jennifer and Jamie Brinklow, two grandsons, a great grand-daughter, and half-sister, Phylis Brinklow-Sowle. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Brinklow and Betty Ambrose, and brother, Donald Brinklow.

The family of Roger would like to express their thankfulness to the staff on the third floor for the amazing care he received while at the Veteran’s Hospital.

Memorial Service: Changing Lives Tabernacle  202 4th Ave E. West Fargo, ND on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 2 pm, with visitation held one hour prior to his service.

Interment:   Fargo National Cemetery, rural Harwood, ND, at a later date.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

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