John P. St. John Memorial High School
Class of 1952

(Feb. 20, 1934 — May 27, 2011)

Roger attended Ottawa State College after graduating from high school, then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Following his service with the Marines, he returned to Olathe and enrolled in hairdressing school. His lifelong career as a hairstylist began while working for others, and then evolved into owning and operating Roger’s Hairstyling Salon for 35 years. As an accomplished stylist, Roger won first place in the Kansas City, Kan., Cosmetology Association competition. Being a local business owner gave Roger the opportunity to sponsor an Olathe Little League team for many years in the 1970s, and sponsor floriculture awards at the Johnson County Fair. Roger’s involvement with young gardeners also included serving as floriculture leader with the Oxford Hustlers and Stanley Buccaneers 4-H clubs. His passion for flowers included competitions and awards at Old Settlers, the Johnson County Fair, the Kansas State Fair, and former Kansas Sunflower Fair. Roger often took a beautiful floral arrangement with him to church, hospitals, and errands to the bank, doctor, or dentist. “He genuinely delighted in making people look and feel beautiful, and by bringing beautiful flowers to them,” said son-in-law David Lang.