Roger F. Lazette

ROGER LAZETTE, 76 Roger F. Lazette, age 76, of Aurora, Colorado, passed away the evening of June 14, 2016. Roger was born in Monroe, Michigan to Bernard and Andrewina (Biggins) Lazette. He married Darawan Srichabok on July 16, 1970 in Korat, Thailand. Roger was a member of the 1957 graduating class of Monroe Catholic Central High School. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force. His military service took him all around the world, including tours in Libya, France, Germany and eventually Thailand, where he met his wife, Darawan. Roger and Darawan moved to Aurora in 1975. Roger was proud of his service in the U.S. Air Force, serving 23 years and achieving the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He served as an airborne radio operator, which took him on several reconnaissance missions during the Vietnam War. In May 1970, he held the record for total missions and combat hours (over 2, 200) in an EC-121. During that time, he also earned the Award of The Distinguished Flying Cross for flawlessly executing emergency procedures when a flight lost its second engine over Southeast Asia. His quick-thinking efforts resulted in the safe recovery of the aircraft and crew. His desire to spend more time with his family eventually led him toward working with computers, still an emerging technology. After Roger's retirement from the U.S. Air Force in 1980, he went to work for Colorado National Bank (1980-1993), and briefly spent time with Coors Brewing Company (1993-1996) before retiring in 2005 from his professional career as a computer systems analyst with IBM in Boulder. Roger enjoyed gardening and completed the CSU extension program to become a Master Gardener. In addition, Roger loved reading, crossword puzzles, history, genealogy, photography, watching sports, following his hometown Detroit Tigers and spending time with his family. Roger is survived by his wife of 46 years, Darawan, daughters Ann (John) Fitch and Christine Lazette (Kary Kumnick), and son, John (Phalla) Lazette. From a former marriage, he is survived by stepson, Peter Lazette (Germany), stepdaughter, Ute (Bo) Osborne of Corpus Christi, TX and Terry Lazette (Billye Phariss) of Justin, TX. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lara Fitch, Griffin Fitch, Madison Kumnick, Mason Kumnick, Kaitlyn Lazette, Talia Lazette and Lana Lazette. He was a father figure to his nephew, Patrick Suchaiya, and nieces, Pornpenn Younger and Natenapith Suchaiya and like a grandfather to Jaqoah Younger, Rylee Younger, Piper Younger, and Jaylen Both. In addition, he is survived by two brothers, Milton Lazette of Monroe, MI and Gary (Donna) Lazette of Dundee, MI, two sisters, Patricia Neboyskey of Monroe, MI and Mary Anne (Darrell) Powell of Dundee, MI, sister-in-law Betty Lazette of Monroe, MI, brother-in-law, Somchai (Kham) Srichabok, and sisters-in-law, Kanitta Sarapanpisit and Rattana Faught, and many other loving nieces, nephews and extended family. Roger was a loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather and friend to all. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Donald, Rolland (Donna) and Alvin Lazette, brother-in-law, Bill Neboyskey, and sister-in-law, Gerry Lazette. Services will be held on Saturday, June 25 at Horan & McConaty (11150 E. Dartmouth Ave, Aurora) at 11:00 a.m., with a reception immediately following the service. Interment will be Monday morning, June 27 at Ft. Logan National Cemetery.