Hubert Carl Rogers Jr

Hubert Carl Rogers, Jr. (“Rog” or “Papa”), 93 years old, of Huntsville, Texas, went to be with our Lord on February 10, 2016, after suffering a hip fracture and subsequent massive stroke. Rog was born in Ennis, Texas, on August 23, 1922, to Hubert Carl Rogers, Sr. and Erma Lee Allen Rogers. He was the oldest of three children, including sister Margaret Sue (Peg) Rogers Curry and brother William Allen Rogers. Rog attended public school in Ennis, where he met his future wife, June Williams, in the first grade. During high school, Rog worked part time at the local cinema running the motion picture projector, and part time for his father at their family shoe store (Rogers Shoe Store) there in Ennis. After graduating from Ennis High School in 1940, Rog attended North Texas Teachers College (now UNT) in Denton, where he held down three part time jobs, studied business accounting, and sang in the well-regarded campus acapella choir. His love of music followed him throughout his entire life. Towards the end of his third year at North Texas, he entered the U. S. Army in 1943 to serve in World War II. Rog was stationed for a year at The Pentagon in Washington, D.C., where he learned cryptography. Subsequently, he was deployed to Europe on an unescorted troop carrier. There he was to serve in liberated Paris, and later in Germany, for a total of some eighteen months. Upon discharge, he returned to Texas to finish his bachelor’s degree at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. On September 18, 1947, Rog married his childhood sweetheart, June Williams, in Ennis, Texas. In 1949, with their one-year old son, Thomas Stephen, they moved to Huntsville, Texas, to open their own Rogers Shoe Store. Rog and June went on to have two more children – Nancy Jeanne (1951-1971), and Susan Elaine Rogers (Fowler), born 1956. Rog operated his business in the same location downtown on the courthouse square for 55 years, serving several generations with good quality shoes. In 2004, due to health issues, and changing economic trends, Rog retired from the shoe business. Over the years, Rog and June loved playing bridge and Mexican Train dominoes with the many life-long friends that they have made in Huntsville. They also loved to travel, spending many years visiting the entire USA, and various other countries, among them China, Russia, Western Europe and the United Kingdom, the Middle East and North Africa, and Mexico, Central and South America. Rog was an accomplished photographer, taking slides of all their travels, as well as family photos and photos of local places and historical events in our community. Rog was also active in civic groups, serving in the Huntsville Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Josey Boy Scout Lodge Foundation Board. His love of God and the church was always evident as he sang in the choirs of both First United Methodist Church, and later First Christian Church. He also sang in the Community Chorus Christmas presentations of Handel’s “Messiah” for many years. Additionally, he was a member of a barbershop quartet here in the Huntsville area for a number of years. Another of Rog’s passions was the Boy Scouting movement. He was for some fifteen years the Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 114, achieving the highest award given for scoutmasters, the Silver Beaver Award. During his scouting days he was privileged to work with boys and young people who would go on to become leaders in their own communities. While a scoutmaster, he attended Philmont Scout Ranch and several jamborees. Most of all, Papa Rog was a wonderful and affectionate husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who helped to instill in his children and grandchildren a strong faith in God, and the love of family and country. Values that he helped to instill included the importance of friendship, education, travel, as well as hard work and laughter. H. C. Rogers, Jr., is survived by his wife of over 68 years, June Williams Rogers, son Tom Rogers and wife Janice; daughter Susan Rogers Fowler and husband Gary. He is also survived by one brother Allen Rogers of Georgetown. Papa has six grandchildren: Amy Rogers Dean (and husband Doug), Emily Rogers Mooney (and husband Chad), Justin Fowler (and wife Crissie), Jordan Fowler (and wife Amanda), Joanna Fowler Wiley (and husband Justin), and Jessica Fowler (and fiancé Cristian Blumm). He and Mama June also have seven great-grandchildren: Avery Mooney, Carter Mooney, Gabriel Fowler, Lyla Fowler, Tess Wiley, Victoria Wiley, and Lorelei Dean. Visitation will be held for “Rog” Rogers at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at First Christian Church in Huntsville, followed there by a memorial service at 11:00 AM. Full obituary may be viewed and memorial condolences made to the family at www.shmfh.com.

Hubert Carl Rogers Jr

August 23, 1922 - February 10, 2016