Roger L Browning

Roger L. Browning, 74, passed away on February 16, 2026, at his home in Lawrence, KS. He was a devoted husband, father, friend, philanthropist, and certified Mr. Fix-It of any and all problems.

Roger was born on January 29, 1952, in Mexico, MO, the son of James Leroy and Vivian Louise (O’Neal) Browning. His mother remarried William (Bill) Monk and he grew up with half-sister Kathy and half-brother Larry. His step-father was a member of the military which kept the family moving to various locations around the United States and a two-year international stint in Japan but Wichita, KS always remained thought of as home.

Roger met his wife, Patti Lysaght at The University of Kansas in 1973. They married on April 21, 1979 in Lawrence, KS, after 6 years of dating. While not completing a degree at KU he did later go back to school completing an associates of Environmental Water Technology at Fort Scott Community College, a Bachelor’s in Business Management at Friend’s University, and a Master’s of Business Administration at University of Saint Mary.

Roger and his wife owned a hot sauce store, The Hot Spot, at the Riverfront Mall for 5 years. As a jack of all trades, Roger worked for the Kansas Turnpike Association for 36 years ending as the Superintendent of Utilities before retiring for the first time. During this time he enjoyed constantly creating new recipes in the kitchen for his wife and daughter, spending time at the off-leash dog park with the family dog, Carmel, and watching lots of Jeopardy. Never one to stay still for long, he returned to work for another 8 years between the Lawrence Campground then the Olathe Water Department before retiring for the second and final time. He held certifications as a Master Electrician, Class IV Water Operator, Class IV Wastewater Operator, along with various others.

Roger was an avid member of the Lawrence community and always knew someone everywhere he went. He was a founding member of The Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade 39 years ago and continued involvement every year since then. He also held roles in Downtown Lawrence, Inc. and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.

Roger is survived by his loving wife Patti, his daughter Clare (Leigh) Browning-Oleszczak, half-sisters Kathy Colin, Cindy (Joe) Partain, Debbie (Jonathan) Jones, Julie Browning, Lisa Deardorff, half-brothers Lewis Browning, Cloyd (Renay) Browning, grandchildren Abby Morioka, Cooper Morioka, Kaley Morioka and a host of nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by his son Jeremy Morioka, mother Vivian (O’Neal) Browning, father James Browning, step-father William “Bill” Monk, half-sister Sheila Logan, and half-brothers Larry Monk, Robert “Jake” Browning, and John Browning.

A funeral service will be held February 23, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, Lawrence, Kansas. Visitation will be from 12:00-1:00 p.m. For those unavailable to attend the service in person, the service will be livestreamed. The family asks that to honor Roger’s memory and “official uniform” everyone wear Hawaiian shirts to the service. The burial will be closed to family only.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to The Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade, donate online at their website https://lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com or make checks payable to St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Lawrence, KS Inc. and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.