Roger C. Davies, a respected pastor and spiritual leader, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on Christmas Day 2025 in Cambridge, Minnesota. His life was marked by over 50 years of dedicated service in the ministry, during which he guided countless individuals to faith in Jesus Christ.
Born on June 15, 1931, in Rolette, South Dakota, Roger was the eldest of six children in the family of Clyde and Leila Davies. His siblings include five younger brothers and sisters: Nona, Nora Reta, Keith, Lance, and Birdell. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, in 1948 and later pursued his theological studies at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. It was during this time that he recognized his lifelong calling to the ministry, a path he first envisioned in elementary school.
At Bob Jones, Roger met Elizabeth (“Betty”) A. Dobson, a talented musician from Canaan, New York. The couple married in July 1953 in Claverack, New York. They welcomed their first son, John Roger, in September 1954. After graduating with Bachelor’s Degrees in Biblical Studies and Music, they settled in Canaan, where Roger began his pastoral career in a small church.
Over the decades, Roger served as pastor for more than fifteen Baptist churches across various states, including Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, California, South Dakota, Iowa, Utah, and Wyoming. His commitment to ministry extended beyond traditional church settings; he also worked as the Chaplain of the Worcester County Jail in Massachusetts and served as a camp pastor at numerous Christian camps.
Roger and Betty’s family grew to include three more sons: David Samuel (born 1956), Daniel Kent (born 1960), and Dale Allen (born 1964). A voracious reader, Roger enjoyed traveling across the country and maintained an active lifestyle by taking walks. His love for family was evident in the many picnics, park visits, and camping trips they shared throughout New England.
He is survived by his brothers Keith and Birdell, sister Nora Reta, as well as his sons David (and wife Eileen), Daniel (and wife Tracy), and Dale (and wife Carroll Rose). Roger leaves behind a legacy of ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren who will cherish his memory.
A memorial service celebrating Roger’s life will be held on May 27 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Cambridge, Minnesota. Family, friends, and community members are invited to honor his contributions and the impact he made throughout his life.
