I spent a long time looking for this song, "In the Arms of an Angel", in it's entirety. A visitor to this page generously gave it to me. This is the only song on my site that has no "off" button. Although many visitors don't enjoy music on webpages, Please indulge me just this once, relax, stay to look at the page and listen to the song.
UPDATE: (March 14, 2001
UPDATE: (Jan 29, 2000)On the very day of the second anniversary of Roger's death (murder), Ray Dale Hooks appeal was denied and his life sentence was upheld. In a decision written by Justice William Cornelius, the court overruled each of the points presented by the defense and affirmed the judgement of the trial court. As Roger's mother, I would think that we would have been notified, but we were not. I am just thankful the original sentence was upheld.
It seems that Ray Dale Hook's mother wanted him to take his chances in trial instead of taking a deal of 20 years. How fortunate for Roger's family. The trial was just completed on Jan. 26, 2000 and the jury gave him twenty years on the charge of leaving the scene which he pled guilty to, and life on the count of Intoxication Manslaughter, which they found him guilty of. They were charged by the judge to determine whether or not the truck was a deadly weapon and their determination was that yes it was, making the life sentence a possibility. There will be no possibility of parole for 33 years at which time Mr. Hooks will be 68 years old. The probability of his making parole the first time around is not likely. My thanks go out to a very irate and very intelligent jury that brought in a verdict of guilty and gave him the sentence they did.
Happy birthday Roger. Forty years ago today you and I made a journey together. This past March you made the last one by yourself. I miss you so much, on this day in particular. You will never be forgotten and I promise to do my best to solve the riddle that you and I know is out there. I won't give up. I love you and I miss you.
Due to the length of this page, I have moved the gifts and tributes to a second page. Thank you.
My son, Roger, who was killed in a senseless drunk driving, hit and run incident. The driver fled the scene leaving him lie there like an animal. Most people would render assistance even to an animal they had struck down. His confession was very matter of fact. He stated "I hit him and I knew he was killed so I left". He is being prosecuted for a large number of crimes, including manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, driving on a suspended license due to previous DUI's and failure to render assistance "the Good Samaritan Law". I am waiting for Mr. Ray Dale Hooks' trial to come up in Marshall, Texas and I WILL be there. Please don't drink and drive. You or your loved one could be the next victim.
Roger worked for a company that manages housing projects financed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, designed for people on living assistance. He was only in Texas for 6 months and doing a great job. As of March 27, 1999 there have been 3 articles written about him and his great work in the local paper. The tenants and his co-workers cried with great sadness and fear. One lady cried and said, "I was afraid to let my children play before Roger came!" "He made us say we don't have to live like this!" Roger made unprecedented improvements in the place formerly known as "Little Vietnam." There were drugs and drive-by shootings. Now, they make evictions based on criminal activity. He cleaned house, made exterior renovations including, a playground, basketball court, library & community center. He also added 24-hour security. Another tenant said, "before Roger came, I saw a lot of tragic things happen-I mean right in front of me happen. But he made a complete turn around in the place. He made it better for the kids. Day and night, it's safe now." Another tenant who has lived at this complex for 20 years said, "He turned this project around; made a change. When he was here, everyone got along better. People weren't so scared anymore. He was more than a friend, he was a daddy to us all." Just think of the things Roger could have done if Ray's mother hadn't given him a truck to drive! A great many people will be effected by Roger's death. The Management at Ward Plaza plans to carry on with all the plans that Roger made while he was there.
Roger's assistant told me that some of the tenants now lovingly refer to the complex as "Mr. Roger's Neighboorhood". What a great tribute to my son from his friends. And they were his friends.
I will miss Roger's wonderful smile, his calls to ask how to cook something, our times in the kitchen together or working in the yard. I will miss his "I love you Mom". I will miss his practical jokes and the twinkle in his eyes. There are many, many things I will miss and it just didn't have to be.
Guestbook just for Roger's Page. This guestbook is being shared by my daughter's tribute page and entries may say "your son" or "your brother". Please don't be confused. We simply wanted one guestbook to keep all the lovely memories in.
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