Roger Tallman
February 28, 1944 ~ July 26, 2008
Resided in:
Fletcher, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Harlan "Roger" Tallman, 64, of Fletcher, NC, has moved into his eternal home after a long, courageous and hard fought battle with cancer. He had been a patient in the hospital for 71 of the past 90 days, and died at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem, NC on Saturday, July 26, 2008.
He was preceded in death by his parents Harlan (Pete) Tallman and Inez Mullenax Tallman. He grew up in Pocahontas County, WV graduating from Green Bank High School in 1962.
His survivors include his high school sweetheart and wife of 43 years, Donna McCutcheon Tallman. Melanie Tallman Vaughn, daughter, her husband, Laneal, and granddaughters, Lauren and Ashleigh of Asheville, NC and daughter, Julie Ann Tallman of Fletcher, were his pride and joy. Additionally, he is survived by a sister, Bonnie Plyler of Elkins, WV and a brother, Edward Tallman of Durbin, WV, plus a host of relatives and friends.
Roger was happily involved in the ministries of Biltmore Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, Greeter Ministry Coordinator and was an active participant in his BFG class. He had been employed in the sales department of Fireside Log Homes in Asheville for the past four years. He had a passion for fly fishing and was happiest when he was in the middle of a mountain stream or spending time with his granddaughters. He was recognized, by those who were fortunate enough to know him, for his trademark smile and his loving and tender heart.
Funeral services will be held at Biltmore Baptist Church on Friday, August 1 at 11:30 am.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm Thursday at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to the Global Focus Ministry Fund at Biltmore Baptist Church, 35 Clayton Road, Arden, NC 28704.
We extend our deepest sympathy in the loss of Roger, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and faithful servant of the Lord. We will continue to keep you in our prayers. We love you
What a blessing it has been to know and work with Roger. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you.
Donna and family,
It is with my deepest sympathy to offer my condolences with the passing of my friend, Roger. I always looked up to him in high school, and in later life, as one who I wanted to emulate. I will miss him.
Donna, Mel and Julie,
God love you all and I hope we will all take comfort knowing that Roger is with his maker and in a land where there is no pain. We will forever cherish our time with your wonderful husband, father and my brother. Peace to you all.
Dana & Betsy
Donna, Mel and Julie,
Across the miles that separate us, Brandon and I send our warm regards and deepest sympathy when we heard of Roger’s passing. His smile, warm welcome, gentle way and kind words made us part of the family gatherings.
In Christ’s Love,
My best memory of you and Roger is that Halloween night many years ago (and much later than trick-or-treaters should be out) when our doorbell rang, and there you stood…. both with teeth blacked out and dressed like hillbillies! (You are the only folks I know with a Halloween anniversary!!!) We have such good memories of you two and shared the joy of being your pastor for a few years. God has been so good… and He hasn’t changed. Though the pain is severe right now and you will never stop missing him, we pray that God will comfort you and carry you through this time. As I read the last chapters of Revelation this morning, I thought of Roger as I read of heaven. He was surely welcomed with ‘Welcome, My good and faithful servant!’ We love you and hope to see you soon.
I am sorry for your loss. I have truly enjoyed getting to know both of you. I pray that God will be with you at this time. May the good memories keep you smiling.
Donna and family,
Roger fought bravely in his battle with cancer. And Donna, you and your daughters stood right beside him all the way. Roger was loved by many and now as you said he is waiting at the gates to greet us when it is our turn. We thank you very much for keeping us informed during the past two years.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you go forward.
We are sincerely sadden by the loss of Roger.
Love,
Nancy & Carl Meskimen
Maxine Moffitt
Donna and girls,
Roger was such an inspiration to me, keeping a wonderful spirit regardless of the what he was experiencing. I often said he was a walking miracle. He was a true testimony of God’s love and healing hand. Thank you all for sharing him with us for a short time. I pray that God’s peace that surpasses all understanding will be with you always.
Donna,
We were so sorry to hear about Roger. Ann Walker has been keeping us updated on Roger’s health problem. We will keep you and your family in our prayers and hope you will treasure the memories of Roger.
God Bless you,
Rodger & Brenda Daniels
Dear Julie and family,
Terry and I are thinking of you all during this time of grief. I know that you will miss your Dad very much.
Love you,
Mel
Donna & Family,
What an inspiration you have been to our family! I know God had a plan when he let our families be together in the hospital. Thanks for the memories of such love and friendship. You are in our prayers! After just going thru this same thing we can relate well to the emotional battle your family is facing. Keep a smile on your face and a song in your heart,and God will do the rest. May God comfort & keep you. Sincerely, Lois & Brenda
Donna, you and Roger have always been an inspiration of walking in faith to Jeanne and I, as long as we have known you, and never more visibly than during this long physical struggle for Roger. We are all blessed beyond measure to have known and loved both of you. He is now with Jesus and awaiting our arrival to celebrate with him again. Our love and prayers always.
Jeanne and John Ward
Julie,
We are sorry to hear about the loss of your father. May God embrace you and your family during this difficult time. Let us know if there is anything that we can do.
Julie and family,
I am so sorry that I am out of town and can’t be with you at this time.
You are all still in my prayers and I will be there for you in any way you need me in the days ahead.
This is not the way I would choose to do this – but I just want to let you know that I am thinking of you on your birthday
Love – Di
Donna and family,
We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
I remember Roger and I having some good times at Grandma Maggies
Richard Bryant
Ocassionally we greeted at church on a Sunday when Mr. Tallman was our coordinator, and he always visited our stations with a friendly hello and warm smile. His love for others illumined his face. May all your family know that we understand your grief for this time of parting, for a season.
Dave and Judy Mahoney
I have been given a wonderful gift in getting to know this wonderful, Godly man. I am so blessed that God placed me in the position to get to know Mr. Tallman, Donna, Melanie and her family. No matter how bad he felt he always was concerned for others and never stopped praying for them. What a true blessing and testimony of how God shows through someone when they truly believe. Thank you Mr. Tallman for giving me the blessing
of knowing you. I will forever be greatful. Donna and Melanie & Laneal please know I love you all dearly and will continue to pray that God will give you strength that only He can give at this difficult time. Mr. Tallman is brand new and celebrating in Heaven, waiting for us to join him. Love you all so much.
Donna
I am so sorry to hear about your loss.
I have many great memories of Roger and our many trips we made together. I think him and I were a great team.
Donna & family,
My heart is heavy but yet I’m happy to know Roger is in a much better place.
I’ll never forget the good times we had as kids when the family lived on Back Mountain in WV. Now he’s safe in the arms of Jesus & walking & talking with his mom & dad, U. Pistol & A. Inez, & with my mom and daddy who he loved so much & vice versa.
I’m not good at doing funerals of my loved ones but if I can do anything for you, please let me know.
I love you & that wonderful day will come when we can all rejoice together!
Cousin Bonnie
Donna,
I am sorry to learn of Roger’s passing.
He was a great buddy as we were growing up.
I have many good memories of the times we shared and I will never forget him.
My sympathies and thoughts are with you and your family.
Steve
Donna and family, I feel your sadness in the loss of Roger, but share your glory in knowing he is with God and has no more pain. My love and prayers to you all. Maxine
Donna, Melanie, Julie and family, what a loss not only you have but this world has with Roger’s passing. He was such an inspiration to me and I will miss him terribly. I enjoyed his beautiful smile so much and it made me smile no matter what was going on in my life. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love Brenda
Melanie, LaNeal, Lauren and
Ashleigh
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
We pray that God’s love, peace and strength will fortify you in the days to come.
Love,
Traci, Ricky, Mallory and Meredith Silver
Donna & Family,
My wife and I met Roger and you, Donna, not that many years ago, through our mutual affiliation with Biltmore Baptist Church…to be more precise, through our walk of faith with Jesus Christ and the close fellowship we shared and enjoyed with all in our BFG at Biltmore. All who met Roger were captivated by his radiant and infectious smile and his humble spirit. We were among the many who knew Roger and Donna as friends, but consider ourselves among the more fortunate, to be called “Friend†by them. Many lives have been enriched, and this little corner of our world made a better place, simply because of Roger Tallman’s brief journey through it. We will miss you, Roger, but we find comfort in the knowledge that you are now in the eternal embrace of the One who first loved you.
Donna & Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. I was just starting grade school at Durbin when Roger was graduating but I remember each of you very well. I am sure that with your long marriage, you have many memories that will help you through these difficult days. I lost my Dad to cancer several years ago and I know how hard that can be. Take care of yourself and those precious grandchildren.
With Sympathy,
Don & Patty Cover
(Formerly of Frank & Bartow WV)
Tallman Family:
We were saddened to hear of Roger’s passing. Our prayers are with you. I served with Roger on the ‘Greeter Team’ at church, and was always glad when when he was ‘In charge’. I knew that he would be ‘backing me up’should I need help.I have many fond memories of our conversations. I know he is enjoying the WONDERS of heaven right now.I remember what a person said at my son’s funeral last year. ‘Mark is still saying ‘WOW’ at what he is seeing’.
Roger is saying that now and will for eternity. We will see him again and share his happines.Be assured, God will fill the void that is in your hearts right now.
Gary and Anaise North
I had the honor of serving as a greeter at Biltmore Baptist with Roger. What a awesome experience it was for me to get to know my brother Roger. I always enjoyed seeing he’s broad smile. What I saw, was a godly man who showed up on Sundays greeting people with a smile, full of love in spite his physical struggles.This kind of strength and courage can only come the power of Jesus Christ. May God wrap His everlasting arms with love & strength around the entire Tallman family during this difficult time.
Donna Jean and family… just seen that Roger had passed in the Pocohontas Times.. I wanted you to know my prayers and thoughts are with you..Roger was a wonderful guy and a loving husband and father..I am sure he enjoyed the grandkids so much..I just wanted you to know I will be thinking of you…May God guide and Bless you all during this time and always.
Donna Jean & family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family. We have many fond memories of your family and think of each of you often. Roger will be missed by many. God bless each of you.