‘Survivor’ Season 6 Contestant Dies at 76

Former Survivor contestant Roger Sexton has died after a prolonged battle with dementia. He was 76.

In line with his obituary, the previous actuality star handed away on October 26 on the dwelling of his daughter and son-in-law in Walla Walla, Washington. The TV character confronted a “valiant brave battle with Lewy physique dementia” and was surrounded by his associates and caretakers in his closing moments, per the tribute.

The type of dementia Sexton skilled forward of his dying is the second commonest kind of progressive dementia after Alzheimer’s illness, the Mayo Clinic states.

The retired navy man competed on the sixth season of the CBS actuality present in 2002, which had two tribes that had been divided primarily based on gender. Whereas on the Tambaqui tribe, he served as a pacesetter to his fellow contestants regardless of butting heads along with his castmates at occasions. Sexton lasted a complete of 21 days within the Amazon after being blindsided by his merged tribe, Jacaré. He was the primary one voted off on the merge and the seventh to go away the sport total, ending the season in tenth place.

“Confidence, self-discipline, and dedication to succeed had been all very important parts to Roger’s character, which assisted him in being solid on season 6 of the fact TV present Survivor in 2002,” his obituary learn. “Nevertheless, the opposite tougher facets of his character ultimately prevailed, resulting in his eventual demise, however offered lasting recollections of the exacerbating drive that was Roger.”

Earlier than making his tv debut, Sexton enlisted in america Marine Corps upon graduating from highschool 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 studied development administration on the California Polytechnic Institute in San Luis Obispo which helped launch his profession as a senior estimator and vp for Tutor Perini Building.

Sexton is survived by his spouse, daughter Amy and her husband, two grandchildren and two sisters. He was predeceased by daughter Heather, who handed away in 1992 at age 16 on account of viral pneumonia.

Forward of the CBS alum’s dying, Amy welcomed youngsters Drew and Hadley. The little ones referred to as their grandfather “Be Pa,” in line with his obituary. “Subsequently, it’s with love that we are saying goodbye, or as Be Pa would typically say, ‘Goodbye, alligator, shortly, crocodile, don’t let the moles gradual you down,” the tribute learn.