Businessman, minister, grandfather

Roger Alan Shervington died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of March 17 at Claremont Care Center in Pomona at the age of 74.

Roger is survived by his daughter Phyllis Shervington Epling; son-in-law Milo Epling; and grandchildren Kyli, Kori, and Konner Epling.

He was born in Oakland, California on May 1, 1948 to Charles and Wilma Shervington. Two years later he became an older brother to Bruce Robert Shervington (3/29/1950 – 1/3/2021).

In 1961, his family moved to Bishop, California, where he met his future wife Sandra “Sandy” Lee Primmer (4/29/1948 – 3/16/2020). They dated throughout high school, and attended California Polytechnic University, Pomona together, where he earned a degree in engineering.

The couple were married in 1969 and moved to Claremont in 1972. They became parents to Phyllis in 1980.

He owned his own soil engineer business in Ontario for more than four decades. In the early 2000s, he decided to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming an ordained minister. He attended the Claremont School of Theology and was ordained in February 2007.

He then served as “Reverend Rog” to Community Presbyterian Church in El Monte, California. In 2019 he retired as the pastor of Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church so that he could lovingly provide full-time care to his wife Sandy, who was in declining health.

The couple moved to San Bernardino, California in 2017 to live with their daughter Phyllis and her family.

“Roger, or ‘papa,’ was known for his gentle nature, quick wit, and warm hugs,” his family shared.

He enjoyed many hobbies, including reading, naval history, fly fishing, boating, scuba diving, ham radio operations, and off-roading in his 1978 CJ-5 Jeep.

A memorial service for both Roger and Sandy Shervington will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 22 at Claremont Presbyterian Church, 1111 N. Mountain Ave., Claremont, CA 91711. A graveside burial for Mr. Shervington will take place at 10 a.m. the following Saturday, April 29, at East Line Cemetery, Van Loon Lane, Bishop, CA 93514.