Rev. Roger Schoolcraft was born in Pontiac, MI to Zeno and Helene Schoolcraft on March 9, 1942.  He was baptized on June 8, 1942, at St. Paul Methodist Church, Rochester, MI.  He grew up in Rochester. When he was 10, a friend invited Roger and his brother to Sunday School and Church at St. John's Lutheran.   He attended their Christian Day School in Grades 6,7,8.  He then attended High School and Jr. College at St. Paul's in Concordia, MO. Then he went on to the Senior College and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, graduating in 1969.

His vicarage and first call was to St. John Lutheran Church in St. James, MO, where he met his wife Deb (Steen). Deb worked as the secretary at St. John and swept Roger off his feet. They enjoyed a wonderful Christian courtship. They were married on April 15,1972. Over the next 48 years, he and Deb supported each other in all their facets of their ministries in the Lutheran church. Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Andrea Schratz (1976), who lives in St.  Louis with her Husband Ryan and bonus son Chase; and a son Aaron (1984), who lives in Maryland with his wife Megan and daughter Maisie. Roger and Deb enjoyed numerous trips and visits to their children, family and extended family.

Pastor's next call was to start a mission in Altoona, IA (1974-78). He then went to Good Shepherd in Lincoln, NE (1978-1989).  In 1989 he was called to St. John's in Fayetteville, AR where he retired in 2007, after 17 years.   During this time Pastor Schoolcraft also served the church at large as Circuit Counselor (96-2007); Campus Pastor at University of Arkansas; Assistant Dean and Dean of Campus Missionary Institute for the LCMS. On December 7, 2011, Pastor was privileged to give the Prayer in Congress commemorating the 70th anniversary of Pear Harbor.

In 2012, Pastor Schoolcraft was called as Intentional Interim Pastor at Trinity Lutheran, Lexington Park, MD, where he was credentialed by the LCMS. In 2014, he was called to St. John Lutheran Church and School in Winston Salem, NC. In 2016, he was called to New Hope in Chesterfield, VA. In 2017, he and Deb returned to Fayetteville. He did several pulpit supplies at various churches and supported Deb in her fight with cancer.  Finally, after a 14 year battle with cancer, Deb was called home by the Lord Jesus on Feb. 25, 2021, after 48 years of marriage.

Then Pastor Schoolcraft decided to build a home in Parrish, FL, to be finished the summer of 2022.  After 32 years in Fayetteville, and while preparing to move to Florida, he received a

call to serve as Intentional Interim Senior Pastor at Trinity in Summerfield, FL. While serving there, he worked with the Music Minister, Tambry. After 9 months of collegial planning many

worship services, preparing bulletins, and serving the Lord together, he proposed to Tambry; and they were married on July 7, 2023. They moved to Parrish, FL and traveled to a wide variety of places. Tambry was a special blessing provided by God at just the right time in his life, and he was a special blessing provided by God at just the right time in her life.

As Pastor Roger Schoolcraft passed into the Lord's presence on March 1, 2025, there is no doubt he heard the words we all hope to hear: "'Well done, good and faithful servant! . . . Enter into the joy of your master!" He is indeed experiencing the Joy of a Good and Faithful Servant. He fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith; and now he is experiencing his reward in the presence of his Lord.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Concordia Lutheran Church, Sarasota, FL on March 8, 2025.  A Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. and the Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow.  A Graveside service will be held at St. James Cemetery, St. James, MO on March 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., with lunch to follow at St. John Lutheran Church, St. James, MO.

Local arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.