Roger Ginnett

Roger Ottie Ginnett, Sr., 71, of Italy, Texas, passed away on December 5, 2020, after a brief illness. He was born on April 5, 1949, in Gary, Indiana, to Morgan C Gullett. and Mary Clara Risher Ginnett. Roger lived his younger years in White Hall, Arkansas, graduating from White Hall High School in 1967. After graduation, he attended Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

Roger began a long and successful career in railroading with Cotton Belt in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He worked for the same organization his entire career although it changed ownership twice during that time. He transferred from the Cotton Belt car department in Pine Bluff to Ennis, Texas, in the early 1980s and then to Dallas Miller Yard in 1986. He later became a trainer-instructor for Southern Pacific until that position was abolished and he became a Car Foreman for Union Pacific. Union Pacific later reinstated the training position and placed Roger in that capacity again. He became well-known throughout the railroad making many friends and positively influencing many lives.

Roger had many interests outside of his work. His first priority was practicing his faith. He was an active member and Deacon at Central Baptist Church in Italy, Texas at the time of his passing. He was a member of Quapaw Masonic Lodge #730 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and was in leadership positions in that Lodge. He enjoyed athletics through his own participation as well as that of his children and was a true Arkansas Razorbacks fan. Roger was also an avid and accomplished hunter and fisherman. He was a football referee for a number of years, coached youth baseball teams, and was an active booster for his son’s football team the last several years. Not the least of his talents was in music. He played the guitar and was an accomplished singer. He, and many others, thought that he looked and sounded a lot like Elvis Presley. While many claim that and actually don’t, Roger actually did.

Probably, his most remembered characteristic will be his loving, caring personality which he displayed toward his family, friends, fellow workers, and others he came in contact with.

Roger was predeceased by his father, Morgan C. Gullett; mother, Mary Clara Risher Ginnett; father and reared by E. Lacey Ginnett; sister, Gaylene Blackmon; brother, Marvin Gullett; and infant daughter, Tamala Michelle Ginnett. He is survived by his wife, Roxanna Ginnett; son, Roger Ottie Ginnett, Jr. (June) of Princeton, Texas; Traci Felkins (Shane) of Sheridan, Arkansas; son, Rocklin Ginnett of Italy, Texas; sister, Luwanna Harvill; sister, LaCinda Hubanks; grandchildren, Leah and Macy Ginnett, Micah and Lauren Boykin; nieces, Angie Kelis, Tina Merriweather, Alainea Ditto, Gayla Houston, Jan Yokum and Ryan Knight; nephews, Robert and Chad Hubanks and Bobby Blackmon.