Raymond J. Sager

Raymond J. Sager loved adventures.

An avid skier, snorkeler, runner, cyclist, angler and skater he was up for anything that didn’t involve a ball. He went on a few adventures with the United States Army as well, including as a combat veteran in the jungles of Vietnam.

Whatever he did, his sidearm was a trusty Nikon camera he used to document his life and the lives everyone he ever knew. He legacy includes five grandchildren and untold thousands of photographs spanning more than 50 years of world travel, military service along with gatherings of loved ones.

He concluded his decorated military career as Lieutenant Colonel and continued his distinguished career in civilian service. He was 79.

As time passed his body slowed a bit but never his mind. He traded his sweatsuit and sneakers for sci-fi novels where he spent much of his time on the sand dunes of Arrakis or battling dragons in Middle Earth.

Ray was born in Jersey City, NJ, and raised in Demarest as the oldest of six children. He attended the College of Emporia in Kansas where he met his future wife, Susan.

At “C of E” he worked his way through school at the cafeteria as Student Manager. He completed his degree in Political Science and History in 1965.

At Emporia University he earned a Master of Arts in Political Science.

Upon graduation from C of E, he served in the Army in Vietnam as a Lieutenant and earned a Bronze Star.

He returned to Kansas and went on to earn a teaching certificate and a Master of Science in Political Science from Emporia State. He taught briefly in Osage City and Emporia in Kansas.

He started his family in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1972. Two years later Ray and Susan moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he spent the remainder of his career in business and public service.

Ray also earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh where he was also inducted into Pi Gamma Mu, the international honor society for the social sciences.

He was active with the College of Emporia’s alumni association, serving as an officer of the board for many years. He was recognized by the Alumni Association and awarded the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award.

In the Army, he received the Samuel Sharpe award, an honor for ordnance officers.

Ray is survived by his wife, Susan, of Shawnee, KS. Sons Aaron Sager of Castle Rock, CO., and Brenden Sager of Austin, TX. Five grandchildren include Donovan and Nora of Castle Rock and Evelyn, Leah and Everett of Austin.

His brother Roger Sager lives in Vernon, NJ; sister Linda Sager of Leonia, NJ and brother John Sager of Bellhaven, NC.

Ray was predeceased by both parents, his sister Valerie Tortorella and brother Robert Sager.

Donations in Ray’s memory can be made The College of Emporia Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 105, Emporia, KS 66801.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Central Time on April 11, 2022 at the Amos Family Funeral Home, followed by a funeral services at 11:00 a.m., also at the funeral home.

Raymond will be laid to rest in Old Monticello Cemetery, 21400 W 73rd Terrace, Shawnee, KS 66218.