Roger A. Gray, age 73, of Hays died Friday, February 25, 2011, peacefully at his home with the loving care of his wife and Hospice of Hays Medical Center.

Roger was born April 7, 1937 in Winfield, Kansas to Melvin and Ahwilda (Rogers) Gray. He married Virginia Newlin on July 1, 1955 in Winfield. He attended high school in Dexter, Kansas. He furthered his education attending Cowley County Community College and Fort Hays State University earning a degree in education. After moving to Rush County in 1957 he taught school there for 10 years while successfully selling used cars on the side. He then decided to retire from teaching and in 1967 he established the business of RAG Motors in LaCrosse, Kansas, selling used cars. Later the new car franchise for Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Buick was added and ultimately RAG Motors was expanded to Hays and Arkansas City, Kansas.

While living in LaCrosse, Roger was active in community affairs. He served as President to the Lion's Club, was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, member of the Methodist Church and served a term as Mayor of the city. After semi-retiring, Roger moved to Hays, closed the new car franchise, and continued his used car sales until January, 2011.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Virginia of the home in Hays; his sons, Jeff Gray of Colorado Springs, Colorado and David Gray and his wife, Kristi of Hays; grandchildren, Greg Hartman of Del Norte, Colorado, Alissa Gray of Wichita, Ks., Derek Gray and fiance' Carissa Beilman of Hays, Keely and Sierra Gray of Colorado Springs, Colo., Kade and Keira Gray of Hays, Kansas; five great grandchildren; two brothers, Howard Gray and his wife, Lois of Pratt, Kansas, Richard Gray and his wife, Patricia of Winfield, Ks. and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Franklin Joseph and Zane.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 28, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Hays. Friends may call at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 20th and Pine, on Sunday from 4 until 6 p.m. The casket will not be open at the church on Monday. On Tuesday, friends and relatives may call at the Miles Funeral Service in Winfield, Kansas from 9 until 11 a.m. Burial will then be in the Dexter, Kansas, Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in his name and memory with Hospice of Hays Medical Center, 2220 Canterbury.

Condolences may be sent to the family at haysmemorial.com