James Frank Rogers
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James “Jim” Frank Rogers, 77, of Columbia, Missouri, passed away 11 December 2021, at University of Missouri Hospital. He was born February 15, 1944 in Hastings, Michigan to Paul and Nina Rogers.
He married his loving wife Lawanda in Eureka Springs, Arkansas in 1995 and she continues to live in the house Jim built, with his best bud Cooper.
Jim worked hard, played hard, and loved deeply. Like his father before him, Jim loved working with his hands and was an accomplished craftsman in all trades of construction. Not only did Jim have an opportunity to work locations nationwide, but he also worked for himself (Rogers Fencing) and he made lifelong friends along the way. In his later years he truly enjoyed working for Campus Construction and Forrest Chevrolet.
Jim’s true passion was playing music, and was an enthusiast of all genres, “except Rap” he would say. His most adventurous tales always began with “I bought a bus and hit the road…”. He played music for many bands, some he started and others he joined. When he performed, his steely blue eyes twinkled and his voice boomed like Johnny Cash. He loved his well-traveled bass, which is the only friend that holds the truth behind all his stories.
Jim was a member of Masonic Lodge #59, and proud 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He took his masonic responsibilities most seriously, and some of his favorite memories involve the brothers of Aleppo Grotto, where he was Past Monarch. Over the years, Jim was a proud member of the Tiger Motor Patrol, the Little Club and the Tiger Shrine Clowns where he was known as “Crosstie”.
Jim loved to learn. Through the years his accomplishments include pigeon racing, amateur photography, participating in barbeque contests- both cooking and judging, hunting, bow fishing, and more. All of which comes with another story.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, William Rogers, and his grandson Kyle Sterling.
In addition to his loving wife, Jim is survived by his children: James Frank Rogers II (Kristin), Britt Rogers (Bernadette), Tanya Freelon (Raphiell); grandchildren: Kyra Rogers (Joe), Vanessa Clay (Gavin), Aleen Rogers, James Frank Rogers III (Adriana), David Brunsen, Dylan Rogers (Chelsea), Kayley Rogers, Jerrika Sterling, Brittany Freelon, Ascanio Freelon, and five great-grandchildren; siblings Carol Olds, Linda Fetters, LaRyna Scroggins, Gerald Rogers (Sharon), Paula Rogers; in-laws: Gaithel Blankenship (Rosie), Roger Blankenship, and “Aunt Sissy”, and many nieces, nephews, and close friends.
A celebration of life will be held in Columbia, Missouri in February 2022.
Memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children at https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/giving , or to The Masonic Home of Missouri at https://www.mohome.org/donate/ .
Visits: 6
Love to Lawanda, Tanya, and Jimmy’s boys, their families and all of us who knew and loved him. I will never forget Jimmy being Santa for our son Jake when he was so so little. Jimmy was a wonderful friend to us.
Brother Jim was a true friend, I enjoyed working the fair with him for several years. He taught me a lot over the years. He will be sadly missed!! Rest well my Brother!
Wanda Hunker
Jim was a good friend of my late husband, Steve and I for many years. I will miss him very much. Love and prayers to Lawanda, Jamie, Britt and the whole family.
Louise Hendricks Smith
December 20, 2021 at 9:24 AM
I have a picture of Jim and I sharing a wash tub on the front lawn of our house in Holly, Michigan on what must have been a hot summer day many years ago surrounded by our sisters each in their own tub. Our families had good times together. After the Rogers family moved south, we all were busy in our own lives. I hadn’t seen Jim in years until he came to my father’s funeral in Missouri and made me guess who he was; we had all changed as we grew older. It makes me sad to know he isn’t still busy
with all the things he enjoyed doing. God be with his family as they adjust to life without him .
I have a picture of Jim and I sharing a wash tub on the front lawn of our house in Holly, Michigan on what must have been a hot summer day many years ago surrounded by our sisters each in their own tub. Our families had good times together. After the Rogers family moved south, we all were busy in our own lives. I hadn’t seen Jim in years until he came to my father’s funeral in Missouri and made me guess who he was; we had all changed as we grew older. It makes me sad to know he isn’t still busy
with all the things he enjoyed doing. God be with his family as they adjust to life without him .
Uncle Jim, what a big personality. We all loved him, his stories, his music, his cooking and his hugs. Early on I knew he was the apple of my grandmother’s eye and a challenge of wills to grandpa, we all adored him just the same. His eyes are the same as my mother’s, the same shape and color, a beautiful blue and piercing, a bs radar of the highest caliber and just as forgiving.
I didn’t see him often, we lived in Florida and he didn’t. But I remember a trip to Silver Dollar City when I was just a kid, an all time favorite, my dad was there too. Fire in the Hole was never more fun than it was on that day. Uncle Jim would make an appearance at family reunions and would stop by and see us in Miami on trips home from Colombia. He came to my grandmother Olds’ funeral, my father’s mother. I felt the depth and strength of family ties on that day.
James Frank Rogers was a good man with a good heart and I miss him. Rest In Peace, dear uncle. Until we meet again one sweet day…