Loyd Roger Riggs, 88 of Ponca City, died May 28, 2024 of injuries in Tulsa.

Born to Loyd and Eula Riggs of Bethany on October 27, 1935.

He attended Bethany Public Schools before later attending Bethany Nazarene College and Kansas City University, where he obtained a masters degree in philosophy. He then went back to KCU to get a masters degree in teaching.

He worked as a barber, served 6 years in the US army and worked as a carpenter. He later became an elementary science teacher at Washington and Woodlands schools. He loved kids and getting them to think and question.

He loved playing guitar and listing to jazz guitar and western swing music.

He was an avid organic gardener and was into recycling and environmental protection long before it was popular.

He was married to Shirley Stangeland, wife of 50 years, who passed due to illness.

Later, he married Barbara LeClair of Ponca City, wife of 14 years. Though he had no children of his own, be became an instant father of five kids and grandfather of 14 grandchildren, who grew to love him dearly.

He is survived by Charles Ray Riggs of Bethany and many nieces and nephews, Lisa (Grayson) Hunsaker, niece, who spend many summers with Roger and wife Shirley.

He was preceded in death by father Loyd, mother Eula, sisters Ladonna and Marlene, and brothers Earl and Jerry, and first wife Shirley.

Special thank you to Sam and Gwen Edmonds for the love and support.

Also a big thank you to all who came and spent time with him and worked tirelessly to make sure he got good care.

Thank you to Carol and Matt Loeber, Melissa Labeth, Lisa Hunsaker.

Thank you also to Joe and Melissa Lay for all the love and support, and Andy and Kelly Lay, Kenny and Marita Lay and so many others who have so much love and support as well.

A celebration of life will be held at St. Luke’s Nazarene Church on Friday, July 5th at 10:30 am.