John Larry Rogers

John L. Rogers passed away quietly during the early morning hours of May 21, 2018 at his home in Gig Harbor, WA. He was 76 years old. He was born in Spindale, NC in 1942 and lived there until the family relocated to Patterson, NJ. John loved sharing stories of his school days at Eastside High School and was proud of the fact they made a movie about it called “Lean on Me” with Morgan Freeman. He received an appointment to the Naval Academy. After he was discharged he went on to attend Baker University where he played football. Following his freshman year, he transferred to the University of Missouri. Realizing his real love was flying, he began taking flying lessons and soon applied and was accepted to the TWA pilot program.

Soon after becoming a TWA pilot he met Karen, who happened to also work for TWA as a flight attendant. In 1967 Karen and John were married in the largest Lutheran church in downtown Manhattan, NY. They then moved to Kansas City where they raised their children, Robin and Brett.  During their time in the Midwest, they were able to join a country club where John became an avid golfer and card player. As a pilot with one of the most renowned airlines in history, John was able to afford his family the ability to travel the world. During their travels, they saw places like Michelangelo’s paintings in the Sistine Chapel to learning to ski on the Zugspitze in Germany. 

John loved sports and staying in shape running or walking up to 10 miles a day. He enjoyed going to professional football and baseball games with both his kids growing up and in later years attending his grandkids sporting events. One of his passions his whole life was history. In particular, he enjoyed learning about the revolutionary and civil war. He took the time to learn about his own ancestors’ involvement and loved sharing his knowledge with others.

While everyone loved John, he wasn’t without being set in “John’s way”. He was a master recycler and you wouldn’t dare put a dish in the dishwasher without it being thoroughly cleaned! 

His mother Annie, father David, older brother Wayne and nephew Wayne Jr. predeceased him. He is survived by his wife, Karen, his brother Jim, his daughter Robin and her husband Jason, both of their boys, Cole and Zachary, his son, Brett and his wife Trish, their daughter Audrey, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at the Haven of Rest Funeral Home in Gig Harbor, WA. Burial services will follow at Mount Tahoma National Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at their home at 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Wounded Warriors, St. Jude's, Shriners Children's Hospital or a charity of your choice.

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