Roger Flygare, a longtime Federal Way resident, volunteer and leader in the local veteran community, has died at age 75.

Flygare was honored Jan. 30 during a ceremony at the Federal Way Veterans Memorial in which the U.S. flag was raised to half-staff. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a past commanader of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“He was an integral member of our Veterans Advisory Group that created the Federal Way Veterans Memorial and a passionate advocate as President of the Federal Way Public Market initiative,” according to a Facebook post from Mayor Jim Ferrell. “Roger was a pillar of the community and a very special friend of mine.”

As a co-owner of the local company Flygare and Associates, Flygare was also considered a leader in court reporting: “He was a fierce advocate for the court reporting profession, and he will be deeply missed,” according to a Facebook post by the Washington Court Reporters Association.

A local resident since 1968, Flygare was an active supporter of many Federal Way nonprofit agencies including FUSION, Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, the Federal Way Coalition Against Trafficking and the Federal Way Farmers Market. In addition to serving on several city commissions over the years, Flygare also dabbled in local politics as a candidate for Federal Way City Council and the state Legislature.

Most recently, Flygare was also among a group working to create the Federal Way Public Market as a local community gathering hub. In April 2024, Flygare told the Mirror he was optimistic of the project’s long-term impact.

“This isn’t for my generation. This is for the generations to come,” Flygare said in 2024.

According to a social media post by his wife, Karla Flygare, a celebration of life service is being planned for 2 p.m. Sunday, March 2, at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center.

The U.S. flag was raised to half-staff during a brief ceremony Jan. 30 at the Federal Way Veterans Memorial in honor of the life of Roger Flygare. Courtesy of City of Federal Way