Roger L. Dowding
85 of Syracuse
Roger L. Dowding, 85, of Syracuse, passed away on March 24, 2026, at the Syracuse Good Samaritan Society. He was born July 3, 1940, in Lincoln, to Roy F. Dowding and Wilma P. (LaFollette) Dowding.
Roger was raised with strong, old-fashioned values-hard work, respect for others, and a clear sense of right and wrong. In his youth, he was active in 4-H and FFA, where he cared for livestock and developed a lifelong love for farming. Though life eventually led him away from the farm, it remained close to his heart.
Throughout his life, Roger worked in various roles including Strong Brothers in Syracuse, Montgomery Ward, Ford Motor Company in California-where he helped paint one of the first California Mustangs-American Stores in Lincoln, and American Meter in Nebraska City. Even while working full-time, he farmed and raised his family. After retirement, he took pride in running his own lawn care service.
Roger enjoyed fishing with his children and spending countless hours working on his model train layouts. Though later limited by parkinsonism, he continued to cherish and reflect on the hobbies he loved.
On February 14, 1970, he married Sheri Mayhew in Palmyra, Nebraska. Together they shared 56 years of marriage. Roger was a proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who loved his family deeply and accepted each of them for who they were.
He is survived by his wife, Sheri Dowding; children Terry (Debbie) Dowding, Kevin Dowding, Matthew (Tami) Macrow, Mitchell (Angie) Dowding, and Debra Daharsh; 13 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and sister Wilma Halvorsen.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law Jeff Daharsh; brother-in-law Virgil Halvorsen; and parents-in-law Dale and Bonnie Mayhew.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 28, from 2 -4 PM at the Green Room - 432 5th St, Syracuse, NE, with burial at a later date in the Rosewood Cemetery in Palmyra.
Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.
Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE
Condolences to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com