FLINT, MI — Roger Liddell never met a stranger.

The McLaren Flint Hospital employee had an affable, outgoing personality that was seen often by his friends, coworkers and large extended family.

“He was just full of joy,” his nephew, Darrell Collins, said. “He was kind, generous. Even if he was having a bad day, you’d never know it. He was always smiling.”

That large family is in mourning this weekend after Liddell passed away on Friday due to complications from COVID-19.

In his last public Facebook post on March 30, Liddell noted that he had gone from working in McLaren’s intensive care unit to being a patient in the hospital.

His union, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 2650, said Liddell had worked for McLaren for 18 years in supply distribution, a job in which he would visit all floors of the hospital.

Collins said that Liddell first started showing symptoms a few days before being admitted at McLaren. He was placed on a ventilator almost immediately after testing positive for the coronavirus, and Collins said his condition quickly deteriorated over the next 11 days.

Liddell, 65, had underlying conditions including hypertension but was overall active and healthy, according to Collins.

Originally from Mississippi, Liddell served in the U.S. Marine Corps and lived in Illinois before settling in Michigan.

He made regular trips back to Mississippi to see his extended family, where he would share his love of blues music and Western movies. Liddell was one of nine siblings, with two brothers and six sisters.

“He enjoyed spending time with his family,” Collins said. “That was the main thing. He lived in Michigan but he would make several trips a year down here to visit his family. That was probably his biggest hobby, just being around family.

“Everybody’s taking it hard. It was a shock. It hit real close to home. Everybody loved Roger. I haven’t met anybody that had anything bad to say about him.”

Liddell’s death is one of 62 from COVID-19 as of Saturday in Genesee County, according to state numbers. The county has seen 919 positive tests for the virus.

Coronavirus cases in Michigan:

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PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.

Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.

Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and when you go into places like stores.

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