Roger William Maraist

Roger was born on March 22,1943 in Whittier California to Roger and Iola Jamison. His father, Roger Williamon Jamison Sr. was killed in action shortly after his birth. His mother married James Maraist a few years later. He was adopted by his stepfather and his name was later legally changed to Roger Maraist. Roger and the entire Maraist family lived in numerous countries including Guam, Italy and Germany during WW II. He graduated High School from H. H. Arnold High School in Wiesbaden, Germany in 1961 and then returned to the United States. Roger attended Whittier Junior College. Following college, he began working in various jobs including as a crane operator for Kaiser Steele. Roger was subsequently hired by Southern California Edison as a grounds man in 1966 and retired in 1998 as Regional Public Affairs Manager for the San Joaquin Valley. Following his retirement Roger worked as a consultant, a contract employee for SCE for five and a half years, and worked for Tidwell Excavating, Inc. for 5 years. During his career with Edison, Roger continued his formal education through programs at the University of Idaho Public Utilities, Harvard School of Business Conflict Resolution Program, and USC Management Policy Institution. He received community recognition developing a "Freeze Relief" program that provided financial assistance to Eastside growers and financial relief to farm laborers. He was also the recipient of the 1996 Distinguished Service Award for the Fresno State University Viticulture Research . Roger moved to Visalia in 1986 from Santa Barbara to start his job as Division Manager with SCE. He continued his community involvement and became Visalia's Planning Commissioner in 1998. He was an active member of Visalia County Club and community organizations including Ruiz for Kids United Way of Tulare County and Tulare Roma Lodge Sons of Italy. In 1987 he met Barbara Ashworth on a blind date; they were married in 1988 blending their family of 6 children. Roger is survived by his wife of 37 years, Barbara; daughters Kimberly Lafond (David) of Buellton; Kelley Bowman (Ted) of Santa Ynez and stepchildren Mark (Kim) Ashworth of Fresno; Kevin (Gina) Ashworth of Long Beach; and Jennifer (Ty) Gray of Fresno. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Nicholas and Colin Bowman, Santa Ynez; Julien and Ben Mathieu Buellton; Masyn Ashworth, Fresno; Madeleine, Caroline, and Lilly Ashworth, Corona Del Mar; Samantha, Keira and Nathan Ashworth, Long Beach and Ashlee and Emily Gray of Fresno. He is survived by his brother James Maraist, Jr, Texas; sister, Christine Neuner, Florida; and sister Carrie Ingram, Colorado. He is preceded in death by his former wife Eileen and stepson, Douglas Ashworth. The family wishes to thank Park Visalia for Roger's excellent care during the past six months. Donations in his memory can be made to the charity of your choice. A celebration of his life will be held at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4th. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Roger William Maraist

March 22, 1943 - May 21, 2025