Kenneth Walter Royer, Jr. passed away October 2, 2022 at his home in Cascade Locks, Oregon surrounded by family.  Ken was born January 12th, 1942 and was 80 years of age at the time of passing. 

The phrase “he is a good man” is seldom heard more often than when describing Ken Royer.  We don’t say it so much, but “sterling” comes to mind because of the way Ken’s character always shone, was precious and had a special purity.  Kenneth Walter Royer, Jr. was born January 12, 1942, in Canton, Ohio to Kenneth Sr. and his wife Etha Mae Werstler.   Ken, like his father, befriended nearly everyone he ever met.  Always ready with a teasing line and almost impish grin, Ken drew everyone out.  Like his mom he had a big heart and prodigious ability to work.  Like for his mom, Ken’s heart did not last as long as he had good to give to the earth.  Ken died October 2, 2022, at the home of friends in Cascade Locks, Oregon.  

Which brings us to Ken’s wife.  How did Ken find such good friends so far from Ohio?  Ken met Peggy Joyce Pittman at a Christian youth conference in Michigan.  Drawn to her strong personality they married July 7, 1962, in Merrill, Michigan.  Merrill became the first church Ken pastored for the Brethren-in-Christ.  They had their first son there, Kendrick Royer.   After serving three years at Merrill, Ken returned to Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania and earned his degree in 1965.  He stayed on to serve as Associate Pastor to the college church where his only daughter, Sabrina Bergen was born.  From there he moved to Michigan to start Lakeview Community Church.   Ken built a thriving church, including the actual building, and ministered to the community as they were born, married and died.  He held community events and even played for the church’s “Lakeview Lakers” basketball team, all so he could tell them about Jesus and get a chance to bring them the joy he found in his faith.  His son, Ronson Royer, was born while he ministered to that community.  Ken’s family was big.  Seven in all, Dick, Arlene, Eldon, Virginia, Donna and Lee were always important to Ken and figured prominently in his family life as their kids grew up together and they spent holidays together.  In Michigan, Ken also worked with his brothers at Royer Real Estate and Royer Construction.  

When the economy sent Ken’s brothers to Atlanta, Georgia, Ken moved his family down as well.  While in Georgia, Ken married Kendrick and his wife Marianne and Sabrina and her husband Jim.  After more than 30 years in Georgia, however, Peggy moved Ken to Oregon.  She had fallen in love with Cascade Locks on a trip they took while Ken was building a house for Kendrick and Marianne in Los Angeles.  He built houses for all his kids.  First chance she had, Peggy packed up and told Ken they were moving.  

Many of you know the story from here.  He met you and talked to you, drove with you, worked with you on the Cascade Locks History Museum Board, prayed with you and loved you.  Ken “modeled the love of God through his daily walk” as one of you said.  This July, on their 60th wedding anniversary, at 80 years of age, Ken married Ronson and his wife Ping.  It was too soon afterward that Ken’s heart caught up with him and he left us to be with his savior, parent, siblings who preceded him and many friends.    Peggy, Ken’s brothers Elden and Lee, his kids, their spouses and his grandchildren, Ethan and Colin, Jordan, Jasmine and Bobo, will all miss him terribly while, as we have been saying lately, we are also jealous that he is with the Lord.  Try to remember him as your friend, genuinely interested in you. He would want that.

Pastor Todd Mohr, of the Cascade Locks Bible Fellowship and Ken’s pastor in Cascade Locks, will help us celebrate Ken’s life at 2:00 p.m. on October 29, 2022, at 550 NW Forest Ln, Cascade Locks, OR 97014.  We would be grateful for your attendance.  There will be a customary potluck meal afterward.  Please contact Pastor Mohr with questions.  If you are inclined, Ken would be pleased if you made a donation to Nate and Heather Wolf, his nephew’s son and daughter-in-law who are training new missionaries after years of their own in Africa.  Pastor Mohr can tell you how.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.