Roger Dunham

Roger O. Dunham, 69, passed away in his home in Lolo on Friday, March 2, 2018.

Roger was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on June 24, 1948, and spent the early years of his life moving to multiple states as the child of a military family. His parents were Susan I. Dunham (Aube), who moved to the Missoula area in 1990 and passed away in Lolo in 1999, and Navy aviator Lt. (j.g.) Roger O. Dunham Sr., who died in the line of active duty on Sept. 11, 1950, when Roger Jr. was just 2 years old.

Roger spent the bulk of his childhood in Maine. He escaped the cold and moved out west to California in the 1970s to pursue music, where he played at multiple iconic rock clubs on the Sunset Strip including the Whisky A Go Go and Viper Room. In addition to singing and writing music starting at a young age, Roger played the guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and other instruments, along with running mixing boards and other equipment in the recording studio he owned-and-operated out of his home with studio partner and close friend, Brian Schelin.

Known affectionately as "Grandpa Lolo," Roger is survived by his daughter, Vanessa Sestina (Dunham), her husband Pete Sestina, and his beloved 2-year-old granddaughter, Zoriah, who loved "Lolo" with all her heart. In addition to the place Roger called home for the last two decades, Lolo also means grandpa in Tagalog, and was a favored nickname. Roger is also survived by his loving siblings: Brother Chris Cousins in Rhode Island, sister Carol Mars in Rhode Island, and brother Tom Dunham in Maine.

Roger's dancing eyes, infectious laughter, oddball humor, political banter, refreshing perspective, musical talents and generous spirit will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

A celebration-of-life service will be held in April in the Missoula area. If you are interested in attending, please contact Roger's daughter Vanessa at CelebrateRoger@gmail.com.