Roger L. Barta

Roger Barta July 11, 1945 – June 16, 2025
Roger Barta-beloved husband, dad, grandpa, friend, and legendary football coach peacefully passed away on June 16, 2025, at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan, Kansas. If heaven has a football team, you can bet he is already drawing up plays and building something special, one relationship at a time.
Born July 11, 1945, in Ellsworth, Kansas, to Stephen and Bernice Barta, Roger's early years in Plainville shaped the man he would become. A four-sport athlete, National Honor Society member, and part-time grocery stocker, hospital builder, oil field hand, and lifeguard-Roger had hustle in his DNA. He carried that work ethic with him to Fort Hays State University, where he studied math education, joined Sigma Tau Gamma, and-finally-caught the eye of Pam Weir, a familiar face from Plainville who would become his partner for life. They married August 19, 1967.
Roger began his teaching and coaching career in Atwood, Kansas, later earning a prestigious National Science and Math Grant to complete his master's degree at the University of Georgia. From there, he taught and coached in Tonganoxie and Wakeeney. During those years, the Barta family grew with the addition of Brooks, Shelby, and Carrie. But in 1978, a phone call from fraternity brother Ken Depperschmidt led Roger to Smith Center-and the town that would become synonymous with his name. As head football coach and high school math teacher at Smith Center High School, Roger built more than a dynasty-he built a culture rooted in humility, hard work, and love. Under his leadership, the Redmen won 8 state championships and, at one point, 79 consecutive games. But as chronicled in Our Boys: A Perfect Season on the Plains with the Smith Center Redmen, Roger's greatest impact was not measured in wins. It was seen in how he molded boys into young men, how he spoke about life more than football, and how he guided his team, his school, and his community with quiet strength and unshakable values.
The story of "Our Boys" reached readers around the country, but to the people of Smith Center and all who knew Roger personally, it simply affirmed what they already knew: he was one of a kind. A coach, a mentor, a father figure, and a fierce believer that love was the greatest motivator.
After retiring from the classroom at 65, Roger stayed on the sidelines a couple more years, finally quietly leaving the field at 67. Smith Center honored him with a street in his name-but even that could not quite capture the size of his legacy. In retirement, Roger and Pam moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where they spent the last decade cheering on their grandchildren, watching football, and living with the same grace and gratitude that defined his coaching days.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Bernice Barta.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Pam Barta; his children Brooks (Tonya) Barta of Holton, Shelby (Larry) Villano of Phoenix, and Carrie (Mitch) Beims of Wichita; grandchildren Mason (Rebekkah) Barta, Tabor Barta, Alexa and Connor Villano, Tanner, Mia and Paige Gawith, and Jack Beims; and step-grandchildren Braden and Berkley Beims. He also leaves behind his sister Phyllis (Steve) Snook of Council Bluffs, Iowa, many loving nieces and nephews, and a beloved brotherhood of players, coaches, and friends who will carry his words-and his wisdom-with them forever.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Manhattan on Friday, June 27th at 10:30 a.m., with a luncheon and gathering to follow in the Utopia Room, the church gathering space.
Graveside services will take place in Smith Center on Saturday, June 28 at 10:30 am at Fairview Cemetery with a Celebration of Life following at Smith Center High School at 11:30a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Smith Center High School Activity Fund with proceeds to go towards the football program or Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice House in Manhattan. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502. Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com
Coach Barta once said, "What we do really well around here is raise kids None of this is really about football. What we are doing is sending kids into life who know that every day means something." By that measure, he was the greatest of champions. And now, he leaves the field with the game well played-and the hearts of so many forever changed.