Gary D Royer

Gary D. Royer, 75, of Newton, died on Wednesday (June 2, 2010) at Newton Medical Center in Newton. He was born on Aug. 3, 1934, in Newton, the son of Alvin and Ella (Pierce) Royer.

He graduated from Newton High School and attended Bethel College. On Sept. 23, 1956, he married Bonnie Klassen in Inman. He served in the U. S. Navy in Hawaii and California. Upon relocating back to Newton, he developed two mobile home parks, Sunset and Country Club Estates, and also Royer Rental Storage. He was a well-known home builder and real estate developer of Royer West, Hidden Meadows and Lazy Creek. Gary and Bonnie were charter members of Trinity Heights United Methodist Church of Newton. Gary also was a well-known private collector of exotic animals that included many species of water fowl, including black and white swans, pheasants, emus, rheas, wallabys and llamas. He was the vice president and founding member of the Kansas Emu Association. He was a proud spokesman and emu rancher and distributor of emu oil and emu products for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; two sons, Kelly Royer of Phoenix, Ariz., and Cory and wife Jessica and their daughter, Dianna, of Lake Lotawana, Mo.; one brother, Max Royer and his wife Helen of Phoenix; one sister, Helen Welborn of Kansas City, Mo.; brother-in-law, Bob Lietzke; sisters-in-law, Catherine Terrell and Wanda Warhurst-Royer; and many precious nieces and nephews. Gary was preceded in death by his parents; two infant sisters; four brothers, Leonard, Kenneth, Gaylon and Keith; and three sisters, Evelyn, Betty and Doreen.

A celebration of life for Gary will be at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church on June 19. In lieu of flowers and per family request, please make memorials to the Trinity Heights United Methodist Church Building Fund or to a memorial of your choice. Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton is in charge of arrangements.