Rodger Randolph Biles

Rodger Randolph Biles, age 67, died on April 1, 2021, at his home in Ottawa, KS. Rodger is survived by his wife of 30 years, Valerie Mason, of Neosho, MO; his son, Dylan Biles and daughter-in-law, Sabrina Anderson, of Austin, TX; his daughter, Aubrie Baack, and son-in-law Justin Baack, and their daughters Abigail and Amelia of Carrollton, TX; his sister, Jerry Powers, of Topeka, KS, his sister-in-law, Bonnie Biles, of Wichita, KS; his mother-in-law, Fleeta Mason, of Rogersville, MO; and his sister-in-law, Joyce Hill, and brother-in-law, Harlan Hill, of Fordland, MO. He is also survived by his nephews, John Powers, Mike Biles, Eric Biles, Nathan Hill, and Jacob Hill. He is preceded in death by his brother, Jeff Biles, of Wichita, KS; and his brother-in-law, Pat Powers, of Topeka, KS. Rodger was born on October 27, 1953 in El Dorado, KS, to parents Ralph and Bess Biles. He graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1975 with a degree in Communications. He received his Master’s Degree in Communications Studies from the University of North Texas in 1994. Rodger was a man of many talents, with a varied and interesting career. He worked as a radio DJ at KSEO in Durant, OK, as a cameraman, reporter, and eventual anchor at KTEN News in Ada, OK, and as an Aide and District Field Representative for U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma, Wes Watkins. He then moved into a long career in education at the university level, teaching speech and communications, and serving as the head coach of several competitive and nationally ranked debate teams at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, University of Texas at Arlington, and Emporia State University, where he was the assistant director of the debate program when the team won the national championship in 1993. He later transitioned into IT Project management roles in the private sector. Rodger was an intelligent man with lots of interests. A brief list of his favorites included music, baseball (he was a fan of the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers), and he was an avid reader. He was often a first adopter of technology, and always utilized the latest advancements to add to his ability to learn and his overall well-being. At Rodger’s request, no public services are scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation that will be used to provide scholarship funds for college debaters at https://www.gofundme.com/f/rodger-biles-memorial-debate-scholarship-fund.