Roger Lynn EdigerEnid, OK

Roger Ediger was born on November 17, 1954, in Enid, Oklahoma to Dan and Alma Ediger, and was the younger brother to Karen and Rhonda. He spent his early years on the family farm north of Kremlin, Oklahoma where his family farmed wheat, milk cows, pigs, and chickens. It was there that Roger ate the mud pies that his sister, Rhonda, would make for him.

At the age of six, Roger's family moved into Enid, where he attended Hoover Elementary School before later moving to a farm west of town where he attended Freehome, a small, three-room country school. During Roger's life, he laughed as he retold the story of how at this country school, the other boys and him at recess collected large cans from the school kitchen and dug holes in the playground until they reached water. They would then track mud into the classroom until the principal put a stop to it. Roger also remembered at the age of five, tying a rope to his wagon and pulling it out onto the dirt road in an attempt to stop the school bus. Roger finished his younger school days at Glenwood Elementary and later Waller Junior High School. Consequently, these are just early glimpses of the liveliness and determination that stayed with him throughout his life, and it was with this mischief that made his third-grade teacher, when retiring, call Roger into her classroom to give him her classroom spanking stick. For it was Roger whom she wished to have it because he was the student, she remembered using it the most.

Because his parents valued a Christian education, Roger attended Oklahoma Bible Academy, where he graduated as salutatorian. He then went on to Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas, graduating in just three years, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Economics in 1977. He graduated with highest honors and was named as the Outstanding Business Graduate for his class. While there, he met Cathy Cooprider, who later became his wife of 48 years, and they were married in Hesston, Kansas in 1977.

Roger and Cathy then returned to Enid where they later had their son, Ryan, and their daughter, Laura. During the next twenty years, Roger was involved in the family farming operation while also becoming active in agricultural organizations to shape public policy in agriculture. This led to nearly twenty-trips to Washington, D.C., to speak on behalf of farmers, and was invited to testify before Congress on several occasions. In 1990 he received a leadership fellowship through the National Center for Food and Agriculture Policy in Washington, D.C. Additionally, Roger was a part of the 3rd Oklahoma State University Agricultural Leadership Program where he met lasting friends. He additionally served in leadership roles in various farm organizations.

In 1999, Roger decided to pursue a law degree and went on to attend the University of Oklahoma College of Law and graduated in 2002 with his Juris Doctor Degree. He immediately joined Mitchell and DeClerck Law Firm in Enid, which is Oklahoma's oldest law firm dating back to 1893. He worked and served as a partner with the law firm for almost a quarter of a century.

Roger was admitted to the Bar in Oklahoma in 2002. He was admitted to practice before all state courts and the United States District Court for the Western, Eastern, and Northern Districts. He was a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Christian Legal Society. Roger had varied law practice including class actions, qui tam cases, and bankruptcy work, primarily involving Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

In the 1990's, Roger traveled extensively to Eastern Europe and Russia, for humanitarian and religious purposes, and later became active in numerous church and community functions and organizations.

Even after becoming a lawyer, Roger's connection and love for farming remained strong, and he enjoyed working alongside his son, Ryan and his wife Stephanie who farm and ranch in Carrier, Oklahoma. He enjoyed being on the combine during harvest and would often work the fields on evenings or weekends or the mornings stopping for a cup of coffee at the grain elevator.

Roger had a wide range of interests. He ran a full marathon, liked visiting new places, enjoyed woodworking, and building things with his hands, and had an eye for design. Over the years he built a house, designed much of their current home, built toy barns for his son and grandsons, a dollhouse for his daughter, and a doll trunk for his granddaughter. When the grandchildren visited, the treehouse, which he designed and built with his grandsons, was a popular place for games and hot chocolate. Additionally, Roger enjoyed music, specifically choirs and worship music, and appreciated visiting new places. Cathy and he enjoyed traveling with each other, seeing new cites and places together.

Roger was actively involved at Crosspoint Church for decades, and Roger's faith in Jesus Christ is what he grounded and built his life around. He became a Christian at the age of 6, led to Christ by his Sunday School teacher, whose husband, interestingly, was the Doctor who had delivered Roger at the hospital when he was born. Roger constantly thanked his Savior for the death he paid on the cross for his sins. This is what anchored him throughout his two-year battle with cancer. He set an example through his steadfastness amidst trials and passed a legacy of faithfulness to Jesus Christ on to his family.

During his life, Roger faithfully honored, loved, and cared for Cathy throughout their life. He fiercely loved his children, Ryan and Stephanie, and Marc and Laura, and he cared deeply for his grandchildren, Landon, Luke, Anna Grace, and Jack. He encouraged them, prayed for them, enjoyed spending time with them, keeping up with their lives, and talking about them with pride. Today, those who share his faith take comfort in knowing that he is with Jesus, reunited also with Laura's late husband, Eric Schmidt. Roger was a friend to all and was known for his eagerness to talk with people. He will be missed for his energy, his interest in people, and the many ways he stayed involved in the lives of those around him. Even in grief, his family and friends hold to the hope that he is now at peace with his Savior.

He is preceded in death by his parents Dan and Alma Ediger along with his son-in-law, Eric Schmidt.
Memorials may be made to Tabor College with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory serving as custodians of the funds. Condolences may be made online and the service may be viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.

A Celebration of Life service for Roger will be 10:30 am Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Crosspoint Church with Rev. Asher Griffin officiating. Roger wanted a private family burial in the Enid Mennonite Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00-7:00 pm at the funeral home.