ROGER BETTIS GARSIDE

January 9, 1949 - May 9, 2022

On Monday, May 9, 2022, Roger Bettis Garside, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle, and friend, left this world to continue his journey with the Lord.

Roger was born on January 9, 1949, in Bakersfield, California to James and Lucille Garside. He was the youngest of four and the family lived in a modest house on Taft Hwy in Pumpkin Center, CA. He attended Lakeside Elementary School where he met some of his first lifelong friends. His parents moved to Visalia, CA and Roger first attended High School at Redwood High and eventually graduating from Madera High School following another family move. His early life was emersed in agriculture from picking cotton at neighboring farms to being an FFA member in high school and learning about dairy operations from his father. It was during high school that he met his first wife, Leslie Dafler. They were married in August of 1967 and raised two children together: Ronald and Jennifer. Like his brother Jimmy, he started working at the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1968 and moved back to Bakersfield. When times were slow, he would often fill in the gaps working with his father at Shamrock Dairy in Tuscon, AZ until he was promoted to Engineer. He had over 35 years of service with the Railroad which created a lifetime of friends and memories.

Along his journey with the Railroad, he met his wife, Zonda Lee Kennady. They were married on his birthday in 1993 in which he joked so he would always remember their anniversary. Roger joked a lot. Together he and Zonda had many travels across the United States to visit family and friends, stopping at historic sites and horse races along the way. They had adventures to Costa Rica, Hawaii and many trips with his brother and sister-in-law to Mexico, Las Vegas, and Indian Casinos. Roger and Zonda's retirement together was filled with family. The grandchildren in their life brought so much joy to Roger. He spent many hours playing, building, fixing, and creating a foundation in their lives that will continue into the lives of his great-grandchildren. They created many beautiful memories at their cabin in Auberry where he often took his mother to connect with nature in her final years. He spent time with his beloved dog CoCo who was a “runner” at the cabin and he and his brother Jim would laugh and laugh as they burned off the tree trimmings in the legendary fire pit.

Roger was a man with sense of humor that had timing and he delivered it well. He loved his family unconditionally and valued his friends to the end. I am proud to call him my father as well as one of my best friends. He loved to hunt and dreamed of taking a trip with his grandsons (the boys). He was the kindest man to his granddaughter who made his eyes sparkle in a special way. He also loved to drive around his brother, who had been his best friend since the day he was born.

Roger is survived by his wife Zonda, son Ron, and daughter Jennifer Stewart. He is also survived by his grandchildren and their spouses, Ronnie and Lexi Garside, Chase and Amanda Garside, Zachary and Brittani Stewart, Paige Stewart and Nicolai Petersen and great-grandchildren Nathan, Axell and Blake Garside, Rhyan Stewart. Also, brother-in-law John Kennady and Jennifer Koch, many nephews, nieces, family and friends.

The family would like to thank all the doctors, care providers and the Chickasaw Nation for their continued support.

Funeral services will be held graveside on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Shafter Cemetery, 18662 Santa Fe Way, Shafter, California.