Roy R. Krueger of Russell passed away surrounded by family after a short illness on May 8, 2025 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, at the age of 94.
Roy was born in Natoma, Kansas on January 8, 1931 to Harold R. and Yvonne (Paschal) Krueger. He grew up in Natoma and graduated from Natoma High School. He worked with his father in the Krueger Oil Company during his school years. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor's Degree in Geology in 1954. Roy served in the U.S. Air Force for two years after graduation, including a period in Great Britain with the Strategic Air Command and the British Intelligence Service. Following his U.S. Military service, he was employed for one additional year with Krueger Oil Company.
Roy married Patricia Wentworth on New Year's Day, 1955. His mother wished to set the pair up on a blind date, but Roy insisted on meeting Patty on his own. The two got along well from the very beginning, and the couple married five months later. This union was blessed with two daughters, Dana and Lisa, and he and Patty raised their family in Russell. Roy worked as a geologist for Frontier Oil Company and as Plant Manager at Kansas Refined Helium, before he became an independent geologist.
Roy was a member of Trinity Methodist Church, the Delta Chi Fraternity, and the American Legion, and the Russell Elks’ Lodge. He was known as quite a story teller, and he published a book of his 'Observations' in 1994. After retirement, he and Patty enjoyed time with their children and grandchildren and occasional casino trips. Roy was an avid reader before he lost his eyesight, and he loved going out to coffee with his friends until recent years.
Roy is survived by his daughters Dana Snook and husband Dan of Richardson, Texas and Lisa Kinyon and husband Darren of Wichita, Kansas; grandchildren, Jerrod and Jami Kinyon of Wichita,Kansas, Brandon Snook (Jenna) of Montville, New Jersey, and Cody Snook (Zyanya) of Richardson, Texas; and great-grandchildren Cooper and Owen Snook. He is also survived by long-time caretakers Debbie and Kara Snook, his sisters Pamela Krueger of Sun City, Arizona and Sylvia Havner of Overland Park, Kansas, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife Patty of 58 years in 2013, his parents, his brother Tom Krueger, and sisters Marilyn and Cynthia Krueger.
Celebration of Roy's life will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell. Burial of ashes will follow at Russell City Cemetery. A memorial will be established at Wheatland Nursing Center for assisting residents with haircuts and other personal needs. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.