Dodge City - Roy M. Piper, 75, died April 30, 2013 at Western Plains Medical Complex, Dodge City. He was born on May 21, 1937 at Cottonwood Falls, Arizona, the son of William and Ina (Speer) Piper.

On October 27, 1956 he married Diedra Deines. Mr. Piper received a Masters in Education degree from Fort Hays State University. He taught school in the Wilroads Gardens community of Dodge City. Roy served as the Career Education Coordinator for western Kansas. He was an assistant principal and athletic director with the Ulysses school system. He also served as principal and superintendent for Syracuse High School. Mr. Piper was a former baseball coach for Dodge City High School. He was the baseball coach and was the assistant football coach for St. Mary of the Plains College. Roy also coached the Dodge City Athletics Baseball Team. He served as area supervivor for the K.S.H.S.A.A. working in the game officials program.

He was a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church, and a longtime member of the National Greyhound Association.

Survivors include his wife, Diedra Piper, Dodge City; one son Alan Piper and wife Tammy, Belle Plaine, Kansas; one daughter, Lori Kepley, Lees Summit, Missouri, one brother, Glen Piper, Kiowa, Kansas; four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. with Mr. Jeff Hiers presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Friday, May 3, 2013 from Noon to 8:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association both in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.