GWINN, MI – Rodney Lee Rogers, 84, of Gwinn, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 26, 2023, while visiting his son in Washington, Missouri.
Rodney was born September 9, 1939 in Lansing to Rodney C. and Virginia (Raedle) Rogers. He grew up in Charlotte, Michigan and graduated from Charlotte High School in 1958.
On July 3, 1959, he married Anita (Hyde) Rogers and they were together for 62 years. They raised their family in Magnolia, Illinois, where he worked at BF Goodrich. In 1996 they moved to Gwinn, spending summers in Florida and winters there.
Rodney was a very talented person. He was a trained mechanic, pilot, and a skilled carpenter, plumber, and electrician. He built three of the houses they lived in and helped his sons and many others with their homes.
He was a talented athlete who held five high school track and field records upon graduation and was a member of two undefeated football teams in 1956 and 1957. He was inducted into the Charlotte High School Sports Hall of Fame in his 2022 year. His love of track and field has led him to serve as an assistant coach at his sons’ high schools and at Eureka College in Illinois. He has competed in 15 of his marathons, including four Boston Marathons, an Ironman, and two triathlons.
Rodney has been an avid cyclist for over 50 years and has accumulated over 300,000 miles. He has biked the borders of the lower 48 states and made many other long journeys. He continued to ride bicycles until shortly before his death. Two years ago, on his 82nd birthday, he cycled 82 miles.
He loved the outdoors, traveling and gardening. He has sailed the Great Loop and visited the Minnesota Boundary Waters more than 25 times with his sons, grandsons, brothers and cousins.
Despite everything he had ever done, his greatest accomplishment was his love for his family and everyone he met. He had a talent for making you feel like the most important person when he greeted you. He really loved spending time with his family and friends.
Surviving are his four sons; He is Steve (Lynn) Rogers of Gwinn, Michigan. Brian (Karen) Rogers of Georgetown, Texas; Jeff Rogers of Washington, Missouri; Scott Rogers of Frederick, Michigan; He is survived by seven grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. siblings: Bob (Phyllis) Rogers, Ann (Rob) Martel, Carol (Ron) Turkus, Joy (Joe) Batten and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife Anita on October 26, 2021, along with his parents, sister Becky Vaught, daughter-in-law Sharon Rogers, and granddaughter Tiffany Wright.
A memorial service will be held at the Charlotte Senior Center on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. A luncheon will follow and the family will greet relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Becky’s Home (named for Rodney’s sister) Road to Hope, 1863 Liberty Avenue, Vermilion, OH, 44089, or ECD Global Alliance, PO Box 775, DeRiddger, LA, 70634 You can donate to. Rodney’s brother, Bob Rogers.