John H. Rogers


Major John H. Rogers USAF (Ret), 88, of Liberty, Missouri, passed away September 30, 2010. He was a 1939 graduate of Sparta High School, Sparta, Missouri. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Southwestern Missouri State University.
He retired in 1982 as a General Road Foreman of Engines, Western District after 35 years of service with the Union Pacific Rail Road and Missouri Pacific Rail Road. He also retired from the Air Force after 30 years of active duty and reserve service, including service in the Pacific Theatre during World War II and the occupation of Japan after the war as a B-26 and B-24 pilot, completing his Air Force career with the 442nd Tactical Airlift Wing in 1972 at Richard-Gebaur.
Mr. Rogers was a 32nd degree Mason with 50 years of membership with the Scottish Rite and the Order of the Eastern Star. He volunteered with the The Fellowship of the Concerned, Habitat for Humanity, Liberty Hospital with 15,000 hours of service and was a Missouri Senior Service Award honoree in September 2008. His memberships also included the Liberty Lions Club and the Liberty Kiwanis Club. John belonged to the Methodist Men's organization and was named the 2002 Methodist Man of the Year. And, he served on the Mid-America Regional Council.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie E. Rogers in 1995. He was also preceded by his brothers and sisters, Blanche Goins, Bessie Arms, George Rogers and Benjamin Rogers. Survivors include a son, Micheal Rogers of Liberty, Missouri; brothers and their wives, Pletcher and Bonnie Rogers and Charles and Wilma Rogers, all of Sparta, Missouri; sisters and their husbands, Arlene Goins, of Groveland, Illinois, Vivion and Glen Johns, of Springfield, Missouri, Susie and I.J. Johns, of Sparta, Missouri, and Pauline Ryals, of Morton, Illinois.
A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 5, 2010, in the Liberty United Methodist Church, 1001 Sunset Street, Liberty, Missouri. A gathering of family and friends will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, October 4, 2010, in the Church-Archer-Pasley Funeral Home. Interment will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, October 7, 2010, in the White Chapel Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri. Military Honors will be rendered by members of Whiteman AFB, Missouri. The family suggest memorial contributions be sent to the Liberty Lions Club or the Liberty Kiwanis Club, c/o the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.churcharcherpasley.com (Arr: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Church-Archer-Pasley Funeral Home, 119 E. Franklin, Liberty, Missouri 64068 816-781-2000)

Published in the News-Leader from October 4 to October 6, 2010