George A. Rogers Jr.

originally Posted 07/2009

George A. Rogers Jr. 1936-2009

George Rogers Jr. passed away on July 12, 2009 after a valiant 6 month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was preceded in death by Roma, his wife of 51 years, in November, 2008. He is survived by his 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Mike (Lynn) of Jacksonville, Steve (Wendy) of Tallahassee and Doug (Anne) of Pensacola and 7 grandchildren. In addition he will be missed by his brother, Chuck and sister, Joanna, his Aunt Bonnie, and sisters-in-law, Sandra, Sylvia and Wanda. George Rogers was born on March 2, 1936 in Genoa, Nebraska the oldest child of George and Virginia Rogers. Raised in Lincoln, he played the sousaphone and bass in high school and earned recognition as an Eagle Scout. He married his best friend and sweetheart, Roma, in November, 1957 thus beginning a lifelong adventure together. In 1958 he graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a commission as an Ensign in the US Navy. After flight school, where he earned his wings as a naval aviator, he served his country for 26 years earning numerous personal commendations including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, along with numerous unit commendations. His career included tours with Patrol Squadrons 4 and 19, an instructor tour with Training Squadron 28 and assignments onboard the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS Saratoga with deployments to Vietnam, Japan and the Mediterranean. Following a final assignment to the Chief of Naval Education and Training at NAS Pensacola he retired from the Navy in 1984. He than began a 15 year second career with the City of Pensacola as the Administrator of the Inspections Services Department ensuring public safety through code enforcement, licensing and building inspections. He was appointed by Florida Governor Lawton Chiles to the Governor’s board for code enforcement, development and training. For many years he served on the board, and as the President, of the Building Officials Association of Florida. Up until his illness he served as a continuing education instructor throughout the state of Florida. Following retirement from the city he couldn’t sit still and began working for the University of Florida as an agent of the local extension office where he developed a passion for windstorm mitigation, green building and emergency preparedness. His work has been instrumental in the development of BRACE, a preparedness program that was recently briefed to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Administration for possible national implementation. In addition to his many career interests George was a general aviation pilot and passionate golfer. He was a member and officer in many local civic and professional organizations including Pensacola Kiwanis Club, Pensacola Navy Flying Club, Order of Daedalians, Children’s Home Society, Toastmasters International, Community Emergency Response Team and the Boy’s Club of America. As a resident of Pensacola for over 30 years he loved the area and its people and wanted to be remembered for his contributions to the community and its citizens. He has directed the establishment of an Eagle Scout College Scholarship in his name to be awarded annually to a deserving college bound high school senior. A memorial service in his honor will be held onboard NAS Pensacola at the Naval Aviation Chapel on July 20th at 2:00pm. A reception will follow at the A.C. Read Golf Course Clubhouse. In lieu of flowers please make contributions in his name to Covenant Hospice of Northwest Florida (www.covenanthospice.org) or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org). Again, Thank you all for your support during our time of sorrow. The families of Mike, Steve and Doug Rogers.