Roger Lowell Drayer

Mr. Roger Lowell Drayer, 85, of Morganton, passed away on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at his residence, following a period of declining health.

Roger was born on July 7, 1940 in Summit County, OH, to the late Gernard Drayer and Martha Cato Drayer. He was the longtime owner and operator of Burke Equipment until his retirement and was a member of Bridge 42 Church in Morganton.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, James Ray Drayer and Ralph Drayer, a son in-law, Matthew Bumgarner, and a great-grandchild, Riley Gouge.

Surviving his beloved wife of the home, Mary Morrison Drayer, four children, Jeffrey Drayer and wife Sandra of Connelly Springs, Dawn Bumgarner of Morganton, Michelle Keller of Morganton, and Susan Yount of Denver, NC, two sisters, Luella Long of Ohio, Carol Nuzzo and husband Tom of Florida, and one brother Gernard “Bud” Drayer Jr. of Ohio. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren: Avana Gouge and husband Jonathan, Geoffrey Drayer and wife Lindsay, Kara Bumgarner, Anna Bumgarner, Samantha Bumgarner, Danielle Keller, David Keller Jr., Andrew Yount and wife Serena, Hannah Yount, Hunter Yount and Amy Yount, and seven great-grandchildren: Caroline, Abbygail and Kaitlyn Gouge, James Drayer, Soren Salig, Elianna Yount and Margot Yount.

A Celebration of Life for Roger will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Bridge 42 Church in Morganton, with Pastor Andrew Whisnant officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the N.C. National Guard.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. at the church on Saturday.

Memorials may be sent to The Gideons International at https://gideons.org, or to Amorem Hospice of Burke at www.amoremsupport.org.

An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com

Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is assisting the Drayer family.