Roy Klages

Roy Klages, 91, passed away peacefully the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, with his wife by his side at Teresian House in Albany, N.Y.

Roy Arthur Klages was born Aug. 31, 1916, in Cape Girardeau, to Arthur F. and Mary Ulrich Klages.

He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University and later received a master's in business administration from the University of Texas-Austin and a Ph.D. from St. Louis University.

His teaching career spanned over 50 years, first at the secondary school level in Missouri and Kansas, then at the university level at the University of Texas, Mississippi State University, the University of Detroit and the State University of New York at Albany. He served as head of the marketing department at the latter (now University of Albany). While there he was instrumental in establishing Zeta Psi chapter of the business school honor society, Delta Sigma Pi, in which he was active locally and nationally.

Dr. Klages, a lifelong Methodist, was a longtime member of the McKownville United Methodist Church in Albany, where he was an active supporter of Meals on Wheels. Dr. Klages was also a Mason, with a life membership in Mississippi Lodge 89, which he joined while on the faculty of Mississippi State University in Starkville.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ida Frances Cook Parr Klages; children, Mary Klages Kinley (William) of Ann Arbor, Mich., Vandiver Parr Bradow of Raleigh, N.C., Laurence Parr (Rebecca) of Stuart, Fla.; many grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

A sister, Vera Klages, and his first wife, Dorothy Cole Klages, predeceased him.

The funeral was held Monday at Artesia United Methodist Church in Artesia, Miss., with the Rev. Nancy Bishop officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Memorial Funeral Home in Columbus, Miss., was in charge of arrangements.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 25 in the chapel at Teresian House, 200 Washington Ave., Albany, N.Y.

Memorials may be made in Dr. Klages' name to the McKownville United Methodist Church, 1565 Western Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12203 (mckownumc@verizon.net), or the Teresian House Foundation.