Warford Eugene Rogers

Warford Eugene Rogers, of Lewisville, TX passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 14, 2011. He was 86. Eugene or Gene, as he was known by family and friends, was preceded in death by his parents, Cyril and Lucy, his wife Lavene, sister Peggy and a brother, Cleeta John. He is survived by his 5 children and their spouses, Cary (Melinda), Neil (Laurie), Brian (Donna) Joel and Trina (Terry), along with 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Eugene has two surviving brothers; C.B. "Bird Dog" and B.C. "Bobby" Rogers. Eugene is also survived by many Rogers and Elliott (Lavene's family) relatives including dozens of nieces/nephews, their extended families and importantly several Rogers/Shelton family cousins to whom he was very close throughout his life. Born in Perryville, Arkansas in 1926, Rogers moved to Oklahoma City as a boy. He graduated from Classen High School in 1943 and immediately entered the service serving in the U.S. Navy. Eugene was stationed 1943 to 1946 in the Pacific during WW II with the 115th Battalion Navy Seabees. His combat duty posts were Milne Bay, New Guinea, Lingayen Gulf in Luzon, Philippines & Subic Bay, Luzon Inland, Philippines. After the war, Eugene returned to Oklahoma City where he graduated from Oklahoma City University in 1950. Eugene married Lavene Elliott in 1951 and their five children were born in Oklahoma City. In 1978 the family moved to the Dallas Ft.Worth area where he lived until his death. Eugene lost his wife of 36 years, Lavene, to cancer in 1987. Eugene was a model family man to those close to him whether they knew him as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin or friend. Growing up the Rogers family was very active at Trinity Baptist Church. Eugene was ordained as a deacon there and served as training union director. As a young adult he coached and played for Trinity in high level competition fast pitch softball leagues. Eugene loved music, particularly gospel music and classic hymns. He served as music director for over 15 years at South Memorial and Windsor Hills Baptist churches. He and his brother, Cleeta John, traveled to many churches doing revivals and special music across Oklahoma, parts of Texas and on one evangelistic trip to Monterrey, Mexico. Eugene had a plaque atop his piano that read "the Lord respects me when I work but He loves me when I sing" Baseball, cheering the college sports teams he followed and music were things he loved but devotion to family was his lifetime commitment and legacy. Eugene's favorite bible verse was, Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ- I Corinthians 15:57. Eugene had a productive and active work life and in retirement lived independently right up until the final few months of his life. In the years after Lavene's passing he was an active member in the Senior Adult Department at Park Cities Baptist church (Dallas). The graveside memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday February 19th at Memorial Park located 13400 North Kelly in OKC, 73131. Officiating is the Reverend Douglas Melton. The family will greet and receive friends in the Memorial Park Chapel from 9:45am until till 10:45am on the date of service. The family asks, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children.