Roger Raegon Ingle

Born on November 16, 1951, in Welch, West Virginia, Roger Raegon Ingle entered the world as the beloved son of Claude Ray Ingle and Mary Elizabeth Caperton. He grew up in the small town of Amigo, WV., where he developed a lifelong love for basketball.

As a child, Roger would sprint to the end of the driveway to greet his father after a long day at the mines, driving back to the house perched proudly on his dad’s lap. His father always saved him the cheese from his lunch pail—a small gesture that Roger remembered fondly for the rest of his life.

By age 12, Roger was already navigating the winding mountain roads of West Virginia and later in life often boasted that he could steer a car between two toothpicks. West Virginia remained etched in his heart and always felt like home. No view, sunset, or beach ever rivaled the beauty of the mountains in Roger’s eyes.

As a boy, he vacationed with his family in Dandridge, Tennessee—his father’s birthplace. His grandfather, Wylie Porter Ingle, was a man of legendary tales, including one about hunting with Buffalo Bill. According to Wylie, after a long day of exhausting their ammo, they stumbled upon a grizzly bear on the way back to camp. With no bullets left, Buffalo Bill allegedly broke his rifle over the bear’s head. Roger loved retelling this story, and whether it was true or not, it was always worth the laugh.

Another favorite involved Roger’s grandparents in New Market, TN. While digging a root cellar, Grandpa got tired of shoveling and decided dynamite was the answer. Without warning Grandma—who was cooking in the kitchen—he blew up the dirt beneath her, lifting the house. Roger always laughed so hard telling the story, it was difficult to understand the transition to another explosive experience. Grandpa went fishing, and the fish weren’t biting, so he sunk a whole case of dynamite and blew up the pond, and the fish.

Roger graduated from Mullins High School and went on to attend Marshall University, where he lived on the same floor as the football team in 1970. He vividly remembered lying on the floor playing cards when the radio broadcast was interrupted to announce the tragic plane crash. He also mastered the art of raiding the old rotating vending machines and became the unofficial Sunday night chef when the cafeteria was closed.

Roger moved to Roanoke a few years later, and began working for Al James at Timber Truss. His work ethic was unmatched, and he was setting sales records of $2 million a year, and was the #1 Salesman the last two years before moving on. During this time, he completed his BA at Radford University, and went to work with BJ King, where he stayed as VP of the company until BJ’s retirement. BJ remained a life-long friend. Roger knew every inch of what it took to build a house, making him a brilliant estimator and designer of custom homes. His final professional years were spent with Graham, Thomas, and Boone—colleagues who became cherished friends. Roger was respected throughout the industry and adored by his clients.

For nearly 32 years, Roger was a devoted husband to Patsy. They had wonderful times together, and spent years dancing together, playing darts, and enjoying weekends with friends. They also suffered loss, declining health, and weathered many of life’s storms together, including the loss of Patsy’s son, Darrell. Roger often said he could never do life without Patsy.

Roger loved his only daughter, Ashley, more than life itself, and frequently told new parents, you will never know unconditional love until you hold your own child in your arms. He beamed with pride anytime he spoke of her. The bond and love between them was unmistakable, and for Ashley, the sun will always rise and set with her father.

Roger also embraced Patsy’s older son, Dave, and his wife Susan (who adored Roger). Their daughters, Hannah and Emily, became the light of his later years. They affectionately called him “Mammy”—a nickname that raised eyebrows in public but brought Roger endless joy and a surprising number of shoe purchases.

Roger and Patsy moved in with his mother-in-law, Lois, to help care for her—and because he genuinely enjoyed her company. Their playful banter and mutual affection were a treat to witness. He treated Lois like his own mother, and her laugh brought him such delight. Last year, they both spent several months in rehab, missing each other terribly, and raced to see who could get discharged and home first. Their reunion was heartwarming, and the living room—with its lineup of lift chairs, walkers, wheelchairs, rollators, and canes—looked like an Olympic obstacle course.

Roger adored his girls, but their only rival for his affection was his dog, Gracie. He insisted she wasn’t a dog—she was his baby. “Gracie will never grow up and leave me,” he’d say. When she passed a few years ago, she took a piece of his heart with her. He also loved his grand-dog, Dexter, and always had treats ready.

One of Roger’s most recent blessings was spending time with his great-grandson, Walker. Like his mother, Hannah, Walker also loved his Mammy. They played for hours, and Roger relished every moment of spoiling him. This year, he was blessed to meet his newest great-grandson, Kylor, and share precious time together.

Roger always felt the hand of God on his life, and truly refocused his life in 2003 after he suffered a major stroke. He joined Ridgewood Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school for many years and served as a Deacon. He loved his pastor, Roy. Following a difficult stay in the hospital, he read “The Greatest Thing in the World” by Henry Drummond that changed his life. He recommitted himself to loving others and found peace in Jesus—and in quiet moments with family at cabins in the mountains.

Roger’s legacy is one of hard work, integrity, love and generosity. His pockets were often empty because his heart was always full. He gave freely—supporting Angel Trees, donating to the rescue mission, and sponsoring children in Africa. He never sought wealth, only opportunities to help.

He had a soft spot for animals and found daily joy in riding his scooter to feed the birds—pigeons, squirrels, rabbits, deer, and anything else that showed up for corn, nuts, and birdseed. Fittingly, on September 10, 2025, his final act on Earth was feeding his birds.

Roger faced decades of health challenges: heart disease, two open-heart surgeries, strokes, diabetes, aneurysms, and 17 stents. He lived on borrowed time, and we’re grateful his last day was a good one—he was cheerful, feeling well, and passed instantly. One moment here, the next in the arms of Jesus.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Mary; his sister, Linda Downs; his stepson, Darrell Richardson; his nephew, Shawn Patrick; and sister-in-law, Doris Johnson.

He is survived by his loving wife, Patsy King Ingle; daughter, Ashley Nicole Ingle; mother-in-law, Lois King; sister, Brenda Patrick (Frank); sister-in-law, Carol Gray (Joe); brother-in-law, Buddy King (Dreama); stepson, Dave Richardson (Stephanie); granddaughters, Hannah Richardson (Wyatt) and Emily Bennett (Cason); great-grandsons, Walker and Kylor; nephew, Ray Downs; niece, Kari Anderson; great-nieces, Kaylee & Natalie; and a host of other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Special thanks to dear friends like Artie Burton, whose daily assistance made caring for Lois at home possible, and Bobbie Ingle, Roger’s former wife, for all of her help and unwavering support. Roger’s colleagues—Joe Thomas, Julie Arthur, Steve & Julie Poff, Alexander Boone, and many others—were more than coworkers; they were family.

We extend heartfelt gratitude to the medical professionals who gave Roger so many extra years: the ER staff, nurses, and doctors at Carilion; his cardiologists, surgeons, and vascular team (past and present)—Dr. Baker, Dr. Lystash, Dr. England, Dr. Starr, Dr. Shiner, Dr. Callis, to name a few, and especially Dr. Billups, whose care and compassion meant the world to Roger and his family.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 14, from 5:00-8:00 pm at John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home, located at 305 Roanoke Boulevard in Salem, Va.

The service will be held Monday at 2:00 pm, with visitation from 1:00-2:00 pm, at Ridgewood Baptist Church, located at 703 Hemlock Road NW in Roanoke, Va.

Active pallbearers to include Joe Thomas, Jr., Steve Poff, Alexander Boone, Wayne Bower, Kelly Gladden, Timothy Poage, Cason Bennett and Wyatt Bower.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ridgewood Baptist Church in Roanoke, Virginia or to Patsy Ingle/Ashley Ingle to continue his legacy of feeing the birds and squirrels.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.