Roger Vaus

Roger Alan Vaus, 49, of Head Waters, went home to be with the Lord Monday, May 23, 2005 at 5 a.m. Jesus said. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)

During the last four weeks Roger was a patient at University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville due to complications from chemotherapy.

Roger was the son of Jim and Alice Vaus. Jim was a former organized crime wiretapper who committed his life to Jesus Christ in 1949 through the ministry of Billy Graham. Roger was born August 5, 1955 in Los Angeles, Calif. As a young man he served in the United States Air Force and went on to pioneer his own multimedia company. He later served as a pastor at Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego, California.

Roger served on the board of directors for The Highland Center in Monterey as well as Horizon South Bay in San Diego, California.

As a private pilot and flight instructor, Roger enjoyed flying.

His love for the outdoors was easily by his love for computers and playing games with friends and family.

From 1995 to 2005 Roger served as the director of Youth Development, Inc., a nationwide Christian ministry founded in 1958 by his father. The particular focus of YDI in recent years has been the operation of Header Waters Lodge, a Christian camp serving countless youth and others from up and down the east coast. Roger’s passions were lived out in the daily ministry of YDI. As pastor, father, husband and friend he led the ministry team in its dedication to assisting the nation’s younger generation, offering them hope, compassion and encouragement through the love of Jesus Christ.

During the last six months of his life here on earth the Lord led Roger to refocus the direction of the YDI ministry in Head Waters. This definitive concentration involves providing a place of rescue to the oppressed, for spiritual refreshing, to restore Biblical principles, and raise leaders empowered by the Holy Spirit. Through Roger’s leadership YDI has had a rekindled outreach to challenge people to live a life of powerful godliness through the grace of Jesus Christ. This challenge was an evident priority in his life as he pursued daily devotions with his wife and two boys.

Roger Vaus is survived by his wife of seventeen years, Lorrie, sons Evan, 10 and Kenan, 7,  mother Alice, sister Madeline, and brothers Dennis, Steve and Will.

To all those who knew him Roger left a legacy of trust in Jesus Christ. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6_

A public memorial service will be held at Head Waters Lodge Tuesday, May 31, 2005, 2 p.m. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to Youth Development, Inc. Box 777, Head Waters, Va. 24442, designated for the Roger Vaus Memorial Fund.