Jack Rogers' Obituary
O. B. Jack Rogers, son of Omer and Lois Rogers, was born weighing 13.5 pounds on May 28, 1924, in Benton, Missouri. He departed this life Sunday, April 2, 2006, in St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty-one years, ten months, and four days. On September 1, 1943, he was united in marriage to Virginia Eveline Cox, and to this union one son and two daughters were born. His wife, Virginia, of 62 years, passed February 13, 2006, his parents, and a brother preceded him in death. Jack is survived by a son, Jim Rogers, and his wife, Carmen, of Lebanon, Missouri; two daughters, Jackie Rogers of Lebanon, Missouri, and Jeannette Rogers, of Vonore, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Jenissa Lynch, and Mary Ann Rogers, both of Springfield, Missouri, Amanda Elgin, of Rolla, Missouri, and Robert Elgin, of Vonore, Tennessee; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. He was raised in Black Oak, Arkansas. In 1939, his dad moved the family to St. Louis. While working at D & W Snack Shop for his uncle, Leo White, Jack met his future wife, Virginia. He always joked SHE shamelessly flirted with him. They were married shortly thereafter. At the age of 18, Jack enlisted in the Navy, one year after Pearl Harbor. He became a cook and was assigned to the USS Haskell. On two occasions, his love for Virginia forced him to hitchhike from San Diego to St. Louis before going overseas. He saw battle on Okinawa and survived three typhoons. He would crack and cook 5000 eggs each morning and cooked so much fish, he could no longer stand the sight and smell of it the rest of his days. In 1948, Jack and his family moved to Miami, Oklahoma where he professed his faith in the Lord and was baptized by Russell Martin at the First Christian Church. He was a member of the South Five Church of Christ in Lebanon. He was a life-time member of the American Legion Post 607, a member of the VFW Post #4107, and the Free Masons. Jack was proud of being an Oklahoma Highway Patrolman for ten years. He stated, “I enjoyed putting the bad people away to make it safe for others”. He attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman during this time. Jack was industrious and wanted a better life for his family. Jack and Virginia’s first business was a Motel 66 and restaurant in Vinita, Oklahoma. After a business in Illinois and cattle ranching in High Gate, Missouri, they settled in St. James, Missouri. He became Superintendent of the State, Federal Soldier’s Home for 10 years. He was successful in saving the Soldiers’ Home and building a million dollar hospital. The local newspaper read “Jack Rogers Saves the Soldiers’ Home.” Jack was elected Missouri State Commander of the American Legion in 1973 - 1974. He initiated the annual placement of the memorial wreath on President Truman’s gravesite. Virginia was always at his side, encouraging and supporting him. Jack was Mayor and City Administrator of St. James, Missouri, in 1975. Many new projects were initiated during his tenure. Jack and Virginia had businesses in Rolla, Missouri, and New Mexico. They moved to Lebanon, Missouri, in 1983 and opened Mr. Jack’s Restaurant before managing the Bennett Spring Dining Lodge for their son Jim. They then built the Rogers’ U–Pick Blueberry Farm. Their favorite part was when the school kids would come by the busloads to pick free berries. He was treated at Mayo Clinic and was considered a miracle patient in his battles with cancer. Jack’s ministry to his family was leadership by example. He never looked back and always looked forward to new opportunities. He loved a good joke, had a great sense of humor and loved to surprise people with comical toys. He loved Cadillacs. His legacy was his love of God, marriage to Virginia, and his family. We celebrate his life and know he is now with his “little momma” in heaven. We all look forward to seeing them both again and spending eternity with them in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2006, in the Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Lebanon. Burial will be in the Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri.
What’s your fondest memory of Jack?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jack?
Share a story where Jack's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jack you’ll never forget.
How did Jack make you smile?