08/16/2026
Roger "Jet" Vincent Fife, a proud Texan, entrepreneur, real estate broker, motorsports enthusiast, and lifelong adventurer, passed away in August 2026.
Roger was born on December 22, 1949, to Nancy C. (Lewandowski) Fife and Diemer Lockart Fife, Sr. He grew up in Hempstead, Texas, where he graduated from Hempstead High School in 1967. After high school, Roger earned his bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. He is survived by countless family members, friends, and loved ones.
Roger led an exciting and eventful life, building a career that included positions with Drilco, Oncor Tubulars, Marshall’s Automotive Dealership, and Royal Purple’s Racing Division. But Roger was never one to stay in one place—or in the slow lane—for very long.
Eventually, his love of cool mountain air drew him to Boone, North Carolina. Of course, it probably didn’t hurt that Boone put him a little closer to the heart of NASCAR country. Roger developed friendships throughout the racing world and took great pride in knowing and helping people connected to some of the sport’s greatest names. A highlight among Roger's many memories of this time was when he was personally thanked by Ryan Newman’s father for the help and support he had provided.
Roger’s generosity extended far beyond the racing world. He was always eager to help—not only the drivers and teams he came to know, but his neighbors, friends, and family as well. If he had something good, he wanted to share it. Whether it was something he owned, something he knew, or simply an opportunity to help someone else, Roger was genuinely happy to pass it along. He had a way of making generosity feel less like a gesture and more like simply being Roger.
Roger lived life in constant motion. He loved just about anything built for speed—from street cars and motorcycles to race cars and everything in between. If it had an engine and could go fast, chances were Roger was interested.
While living in North Carolina, Roger channeled that same drive into real estate and established a successful brokerage, American Legacy Real Estate, named after one of his beloved and loyal Dobermans. Always willing to embrace something new, Roger was a pioneer in his industry, using audio and video property tours long before they became commonplace.
No matter how many miles he traveled, Roger remained fiercely proud to be a Texan. He was known to make long, straight-through drives across multiple states with a Doberman faithfully riding by his side. Roger and his four-legged traveling companion would both eagerly await the moment they crossed the Texas state line, because getting back to Texas also meant a stop at Whataburger—with something ordered for each of them.
In later years, Roger returned home to Hempstead, reconnecting with family, old friends, and the community where his story began.
Roger embraced life on his own terms. He loved fast machines, loyal dogs, the mountains of North Carolina, the open road, and his home state of Texas. His life led him to many places and gave him countless stories to tell, but in the end, the road brought him back home.
Roger will be remembered for his independent spirit, his sense of adventure, his entrepreneurial drive, his generosity, his love of Dobermans, and a life that was anything but ordinary.
McWilliams Funeral Home, Hempstead, has been entrusted with arrangements.
