Roger L. Oberhelman

Roger Louis Oberhelman was born in a farmhouse a few miles out of Barnes, Washington County, Kansas to Milton Donald Oberhelman and Zasel Olive (Wells) Oberhelman.  When Roger started school, they moved to a small acreage at the edge of Barnes, as there were no school buses back then.  In the early 1950’s, they moved to Cañon City, purchasing a 10-acre orchard in Brookside.  Roger attended the Brookside School for the 7th & 8th grades.  He graduated from Cañon City High School in 1959, Pueblo Junior College and the University of Colorado in 1968.  Upon graduation, he took over a small, three-person Real Estate office.  He bought his first Century 21 Real Estate franchise in 1974 and later owned franchises in Salida, three in Colorado Springs and one in Pueblo.  Roger ended up selling out to partners so he could concentrate on the Cañon City office.

Roger was active in the Cañon City Jaycees, being past President, past District Vice President for the Colorado Jaycees and State President of the J.C.I Senate.  He was also a charter member of the evening Lyons Club and Elks Club. (The above narrative was handwritten by Roger himself).

Roger won multiple regional and national Century 21 awards, as one of the top offices in the five-state region consisting of approximately 145 offices.  He was consistently in the top 20 and top number one office.  His mentor, Ralph Williams, of Bottom Line University said “I always saw you as a guy with a mind of reason and common sense.  One who was able to move all the B.S. aside and focus on what really mattered.  Your character, sense of fairness, and integrity set you apart from all those who talked a good story but just never delivered the goods”. 

Roger was 80 years old.  Affectionally known as “Hoss”, he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.  He died of natural causes and was COVID negative.

Roger married Janet (Pepin) in 1976 in Cañon City.  They were blessed with two children, Anita (Dan) Sobey, of Tucson, Arizona and Louis T. Oberhelman, of Cañon City.  He leaves behind his wife of 44 years, Janet; daughter, Anita and son, Louis; two grandsons, Ray Sobey and Richard Sobey; sisters, Haven (Ron) Howard, Claudia (Dr. Mike) Peil and Pamela (Dr. Craig) Kurtz.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Zasel Oberhelman; sister, Andra Sue Oberhelman and niece, Jessica Claybrook.

The family wishes to extend a special “thank you” to Dr. Reppert, Laura, Ruth and Sandy of Internal Medicine for their kindness over the years and Dr. Jorge Davalos at UC Heath Heart Clinic.

Funeral service, 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 26, First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, 320 N. 16th St., in Cañon City.  Interment to follow at Lakeside Cemetery.  Due to limited seating at the church, the service can be viewed via live-stream at:  fb.me/standingonGodstruth.  Due to COVID, no public reception or house gathering will be held.  Masks required at service.

In lieu of food and flowers, the family respectfully requests donations in Roger’s name to the Fremont County 4-H, for the 4-H Fair or 4-H members’ needs, c/o Fremont County Extension Office, 615 Macon Ave., Lower Level #10, Cañon City, CO 81212.

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