Roger Sexton, a contestant from the CBS reality show Survivor: The Amazon, died at the age of 76 from Lewy Body Dementia. While Sexton died on October 26, his family confirmed the news Thursday.
Sexton was at the home of his daughter and son-in-law in Walla Walla, Washington, when he breathed his last. He competed on Survivor: The Amazon, in 2002. As a retired Marine and Viet Nam Veteran, became the first player voted out of the merged Jacaré tribe and the seventh to leave the game overall.
He was the alpha on his team of men, known as the Tambaqui tribe. He was credited with leading the construction of a shelter for the group.
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Sexton is survived by his wife of 54 years, Diane; his daughter Amy (Brian Evensen), two grandchildren and two sisters.
“Confidence, discipline, and determination to succeed were all vital components to Roger’s character, which assisted him in being cast on season 6 of the reality TV show Survivor in 2002,” his obituary read. “However, the other more challenging aspects of his character eventually prevailed, leading to his eventual demise, but provided lasting memories of the exacerbating force that was Roger.”
His family will hold a celebration of life this Spring at their Walla Walla home.
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Before being part of Survivor: The Amazon, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps upon graduating from high school in 1964. He went on to serve in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. After his service, he married longtime love Dianne Rodric in 1968.
The California native’s daughter Heather died in 1992 at age 16 due to viral pneumonia.