Roger Keith Shroyer

Roger Keith Shroyer, of Ellensburg, Washington passed away peacefully on September 18, 2024. Grateful for having shared his life are his 3 daughters, Kimberly-Sage (Ray), Lyn and Brandi (Kirby) and 4 grandchildren, Ari, Christian, Anna and Olivia. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlys, sons Miles Wellington and Lee Howard, his grandparents Nora and Wellington Shroyer and his mother Hester Shroyer. Roger was born in Phillipi, West Virginia on January 2, 1940. He moved to Seattle with his mother and Uncle Howard Shroyer in 1948 where his mother and uncle opened a restaurant called Shroyer’s Dinner. He worked as a grocery clerk and helped in the restaurant before graduating from Lincoln High School in Seattle, Washington in 1958. After high school, Roger joined the Marines. He watched his uncles serve, and never doubted what his path would be after graduating. He spent 3 years in the Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, CA and in Japan. His primary job while in the Marines was as a court reporter. After leaving the Marines, Roger went to work for Schaake Pack in Seattle and Ellensburg as a truck driver. Roger and Marlys originally met in high school and ultimately married in 1966. The family often joked about how long it took him to marry his high school sweetheart. They moved their family to Ellensburg to begin a new adventure. In 1969, Roger decided to further his education and started taking night classes at Central Washington State College, working during the day. In 1971, the family moved to Moscow, Idaho so Roger could finish his degree at Washington State University. He graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences. 1974, he went to work for the United States Department of Agriculture as a meat grader. That 32-year career took the family on many moves and adventures in Iowa, New Jersey, Utah and finally back home to Washington. In 2002, Roger and Marlys retired on their property on the hill in Kittitas, Washington. In his “retirement” he started a small contracting business and also drove bus for the Ellensburg school district. He enjoyed both of these jobs, as he made several new acquaintances and friends and enjoyed the antics and energy of the kids on the buses. He also volunteered as a cook at the American Legion for many years and dutifully helped out at community events whenever Marlys generously volunteered his time. Roger enjoyed fishing and hunting in his younger years, enjoyed cooking, building things and creating stained glass. He loved watching movies, doing crosswords and word jumbles and playing scrabble with his family. A service will be held at the I.O.O.F Ellensburg cemetery - 11:00am on Saturday, October 26, 2024. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Marine’s Toys for Tots. Semper Fi!

Tributes

Roger Keith Shroyer

January 2, 1940 - September 18, 2024