DeLONG, Roger Meredith - b. September 22, 1954 - d. October 3, 2024

[patyrn]

Roger Meredith DeLong, age 70, of Valley Center, Kansas, passed away on October 3, 2024.  He was born on the family farm in Strawn, Kansas on September 22, 1954 to Wendell and Alice DeLong and was the youngest of four siblings.

Roger started school in Independence, Kansas before the family moved to Howard, Kansas.  He attended school in Howard and graduated from the consolidated North Elk High School in 1972 where he met his high school sweetheart and life partner, Debra Benest.  They were married on May 26, 1974. 

Roger was employed by Koch Industries and subsidiaries for 48 years.  Throughout his career, the family lived in Colorado, Bucklin, Kansas, Russell, Kansas, and lastly Valley Center, Kansas.  They made lifelong friendships within each community where they had lived.  Roger served his communities in many ways including as a school board member, church leader, and youth coach.  He was an active church member, most recently in the Valley Center Christian Church where he often led fellowship through offerings, meditation, and Sunday School services.  He loved Christ and lived his life as an example to others.  He prioritized faith, family, and service to others.

Roger developed and shared a love for the outdoors with his father as they spent hours hunting and fishing together in rural Kansas.  Roger excelled in athletics as a youth and remained active with town team athletics, hunting, and fishing well into his adulthood.  As his own family grew, he enjoyed sharing that love with each of his children and grandchildren.  He rarely missed an athletic event or activity no matter the travel involved as he prioritized family and being present.

Roger is survived by his wife, Debra of Valley Center, Kansas; sons, Bryan (Trisha) DeLong of Overland Park, Kansas and Brock (Stephanie) DeLong of Wichita, Kansas; daughter, Heather (Ryan) Liess of El Dorado, Kansas; grandchildren, Kayte DeLong, Avery DeLong, Evan Liess, and Brynn Liess; and his siblings, Bill DeLong of Wichita, Kansas, Ava Farid of Wichita, Kansas, and Linda DeLong of Burlington, Kansas.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Wendall and Alice DeLong.

Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 14, 2024 at Valley Center Christian Church, 1801 E. 5th Street, Valley Center, Kansas, and interment will follow at South Lawn Cemetery in Severy, Kansas at 3:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) or Valley Center Christian Church. 

Breakthrough T1D donations can be mailed to 215 West Pershing Road, Suite #300, Kansas City, Missouri 64108,  Donations to Valley Center Christian Church can be mailed to 1801 E. 5th Street, Valley Center, Kansas 67147.

Online condolences for the family may be sent to www.bakerfhvc.com.  Baker Funeral Home of Valley Center, Kansas has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Baker Funeral Home website)