Obituary of Roger Pilkenton

Roger Pilkenton, age 86, of Winter Haven, Florida, passed away on June 21, 2023. He was born to his parents on June 13, 1937, in Pound, Virginia (Alta Mae Kiser Pilkenton and Delmar Lee Pilkenton). Roger was a fiercely independent man, an underlying trait throughout his life. After graduating high school in 1956, where he played basketball, he moved his family (the oldest of six children) to Florida, and the family arrived and made Winter Haven their home that same year.

Roger met the love of his life, Carol Jean Skinner Pilkenton, in 1957, and they married in 1958. They raised their two children, Suzie Kelly, and Scott Pilkenton, in Winter Haven and were married just shy of 65 years.

In life, Roger loved many things, but none more significant than his family and his love for the Florida State Seminoles, which are the Alma Maters of his daughter and granddaughter. He was also an avid golfer, fisherman, and camper, but late in life, he found the love of building, flying, and being part of the radio control plane community (AMA).

Roger is survived by his wife, Carol Jean Skinner Pilkenton of Winter Haven; Daughter, Suzanne "Suzie" Kelly (James Patrick "Jim" Kelly) of Parrish; Son, Scott Pilkenton (David Blanc) of Orlando; Granddaughter, Rachel Nicole Waterman (Jason Waterman) of Parrish; Great-Granddaughter, Georgia Waterman (Parrish); Sister, Janice Jackson (Bill Jackson) of Dunnellon and many nieces and nephews and other extended families.

No services are planned currently. In place of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics in Roger's honor.