Roger E. King

Roger Eugene King, 74, of Cherryvale, Kansas passed into his heavenly home on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.



Roger was born in Independence, Kansas to Eugene and Virginia (Atha) King on December 18, 1946. He spent his youth and teenage years working on the family farm. He attended Cherryvale High School where he played football and basketball. He was very active in FFA serving as chapter President his senior year. He graduated in 1965.



After graduation, he attended one year of junior college and joined the National Guard. He attended Officer Candidate School in 1967 and graduated in 1968. He was united in marriage to Merle Jean Boss that same year; they later divorced in 2015. While attending OCS, he was employed by Starcraft. He remained there until he was was accepted into the National Guard helicopter training program in Fort Wolters, TX. He graduated and received his wings from Fort Rucker, AL in 1970. They moved back to their first family farm in Cherryvale, KS, to begin his farming career immediately following graduation.



In 1972 he was promoted to First Lieutenant and later promoted to Captain where he served as Company Commander of Cherryvale and Neodesha National Guard units. He later served on the Battalion staff in Iola, Ks. He remained in the National Guard for 14 years.



Roger was very active in his community serving on the Cherryvale School Board for eight years, a portion of those years he served as president. He was a dedicated father and played an active role in his daughters’ 4-H Club, the Happy Hustlers. He was a self-taught auctioneer. According to his siblings, he learned this skill by REPEATEDLY listening to the song “The Auctioneer”. He used this skill to assist in many 4-H and FFA fundraiser auctions. He also coached 4-H basketball teams and assisted his daughters with their sheep project, allowing them to form King Sister Suffolks. In 1999, he received the Kansas FFA Alumni Member of the Year Award.



In 1999 he was in a tragic accident that left him a paraplegic. He continued to farm and raise livestock despite being confined to a wheelchair. He had an infectious laugh and was a life-long encourager. At a time in his life when he could have given up, he instead used his circumstances to offer encouragement to others. He made frequent visits to the rehabilitation center in Wichita, KS to offer hope and encouragement to others suffering from spinal cord injuries.



He was united in marriage to Mary Jo Plumley on December 31, 2016 in Cherryvale, Kansas. She survives at the home.



Roger enjoyed farming, watching his grandkids’ sports, NFL and College football, wood working projects and attending auctions. He also enjoyed watching Mountain Men and Gunsmoke. When his family would call, it was not uncommon to hear about “What ol’ Festus was up to”.



He was an amazing and loving husband, a wonderful dad who enjoyed taking care of and providing for his family, and a man with an extremely compassionate heart for others; especially, those in need.



Roger was a member of Assembly of God Church, Cherryvale and later the First Baptist Church, where he served on the deacon board.

In addition to his wife, Mary Jo, Roger is survived by his children; LeAnn (Dan) Hull, Olathe Kansas, Gina (Jon) Guidie, Carthage, Missouri, Nikki Adkison, Cherryvale, Kansas, Carrie (Doug) Jones, North Caldwell, New Jersey, Scott Plumley, Cherryvale, Kansas sisters; Tena LaForge, Valley Center, Kansas, Vickie Rike, Parsons, Kansas, Jarene Fluker, Valley Center, Kansas, brother; Kevin King, Cherryvale, Kansas, grandchildren; Morgan Hall, Jasi Rozell, Madison Thompson, Alix Hull, Noelle Thornton, Brooke Mooney, Brendan Hull, Abbie Adkison, Emily Hull, Briggs Adkison, Brett Hull, Blaike Guidie, Brock Hull, Zoe Jones, Dylan Plumley, Riley Plumley, great grandchildren, Truit Thornton, Crimson Mooney, Barrett Hall and baby girl Thornton on the way.

He was preceded in death by a great granddaughter.



Celebration of Life Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 8, 2021, at 10:30 am at The Hub (former Assembly of God Church) in Cherryvale, Kansas.

Visitation will be Friday May 7, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Wickham Family Funeral Home, 216 East 4th Street, Cherryvale, Kansas 67335.

Memorials are suggested to the Roger E. King Memorial Scholarship and may be mailed to or left at the funeral home.