Roger Clendening II goes home

ST. PETERSBURG — Roger K. Clendening II died Wed., July 23 at Kindred Hospital in St. Petersburg after complications from open heart surgery at Bayfront Medical Center earlier this year. He was 44.

Born in New York City and moved to St. Petersburg with his family in 1973, Roger II was a gifted writer, journalist and author who wrote poetry, science fiction (he considered himself a Trekker) and Filk songs. He self-published his work under his Independent Triviot Press imprint.

He was a reporting intern and staff writer at the Pasco Bureau of the St. Petersburg Times whose byline appeared from 1988 to 1996. A Lakewood High School graduate and co-editor of the school newspaper, Roger II attended New York University and St. Petersburg College.

A talented tenor, Roger II sang with The Boys Choir of St. Petersburg, The NYU Choral Society and The Alumni Singers of St. Petersburg. He worked with and performed in Bethel Community Baptist Church’s annual Black History Pageant.

Raised as a Christian, he attended McCabe United Methodist Church and Faith Community Worship Center. He is survived by his mother, Constance M. Costley-Clendening, St. Petersburg; his father, Roger K. Clendening, Denver, CO; his sister, Rashida M. Clendening, Oakland, CA; his grandmother, Eleanora Jones, and his uncle Herbert A. Jones, both of Bronx, NY; three aunts, Leah C. Clendening, St. Petersburg; LaVerne M. Clendening-Spencer, Queens, NY; and Tamala Byrd, Joppa, MD; three first cousins, Djari McLaurin-Clendening, Bergenfield, NJ; Craig E. Spencer, Brooklyn, NY; and Kai Mosby, Joppa, MD; and a host of family members, friends and Trekker, ComicCon, Filk and Triviot associates from around the state, the country and in the Caribbean.

A Memorial Celebration is set for 2-4 p.m. Sat., Sept. 27, 2014 at The Old Landmark Cathedral Church, 4201 6th St. S., St. Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, please contact the family via email at irememberraj@gmail.com.