Roger Helmer Racer

December 22, 1949 - July 2, 2015
Roger Helmer Racer
Service Date:
Friday, July 10, 2015 6:00 PM
Service Location:
Energy Solutions Arena

Roger passed away peacefully at home in the arms of his loving daughters after a long battle with type- one diabetes on July 2, 2015. He was 65 years old.

Roger was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Paul and Betty Racer. He was married to Anne (Kip) Quinn in 1974 in Longmont, Colorado. They were married for eleven years and continued to be dear friends.

Roger enjoyed his family, his many cousins, nieces and nephews, and a wealth of friends including those from Toyota, AA, the Utah Jazz, and the Utah Starzz. He was an avid fan, season ticket holder, and the ?Got Cookies? man with his great friend Frank, passing out animal crackers from their seats at the north end of the court. Roger enjoyed NASCAR, the Denver Broncos, and Minnesota Vikings.

Though a bit shy, Roger was active in the Longmont, Colorado Theater Play Group staring in Twelve Angry Men, Our Town and others. He loved people and was a generous and caring man who made friends everywhere and helped so many. He adored animals, especially cats. His humor was dry, spontaneous and potent. His positive, fun-loving spirit spread like ripples on a lake.

Prior to coming to Salt Lake City, Roger was the Parts Department Counterman at Stevenson Toyota in Denver, Colorado where Larry Miller was the Parts Department Manager. Larry and Roger shared a long, loyal and always energetic relationship. Roger helped open the first Larry H. Miller Toyota dealership on May 1, 1979 as the Parts Department Manager and enjoyed a grand 35 year career.

The LHM Parts Department was Roger's passion exemplified by his strong work ethic, working even when ill. Roger was a loyal and fair manager with his employees which was reflected in their respect and love for him. He was brilliant with numbers, the best at his job. He won many accolades and awards, not only for himself as manager, but for the entire parts department.

He was preceded in death by his brother Michael; his father and mother. He is survived by his daughters, Leslie A. Racer, Mandy Q. Racer, and Ariane M. Racer; grandchildren Ashley Bruehl, Jeremy Garrett, and Pacian Garrett; sister Karen (Kevin) Armatage; and brother Jeffery (Annette) Racer.

We would like to express our gratitude to members of the Larry H. Miller Group and specifically to Gail Miller for their kindness and generosity throughout Roger's illness and during this difficult time of loss. We thank Shauntel and Jennifer of Quality Solace Hospice Services for their tender care.

As her family, we recognize and express our heartfelt appreciation to Ariane for the constant, loving care she gave her father during the many months of his illness and for the years she and Roger took care of each other. Ari, you are amazing.

Please join us in a celebration of Roger's life on July 10th at Energy Solutions Arena, 301 West South Temple. Guests are to enter through the Will Call door. The doors will open and refreshments will be served at 6:00 pm with the service beginning at 7:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made to the Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org or The American Diabetes Foundation at www.diabetes.org.