James Robert Rogers, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away on December 29, 2023, at the age of 90. He was born on October 29, 1933, to the late Reverend O.B. Rogers and Mable Edna (Canfield) Rogers on the old Rogers place in Frisco, Texas. He was called Jim, Uncle Jim, Dad or Papaw to those who knew and cared for him. He lived a rich life, marked by his devotion to family, love and his passion for becoming proficient at all things he tried to do.
His father, the Reverend O.B. Rogers, widely known as Brother Rogers was a 2nd generation Methodist Minister. The Rogers family has deep Methodist roots, beginning with the Martyr John Rogers. Brother Rogers was called to serve many different congregations and as a result he relocated his ever growing family to a number rural towns around north east Texas. As kids Jim and his Brother Cokey, worked the seasonal tomato harvests in Avery TX. They were allowed to eat any tomato that was too ripe to ship, as many as they wanted. He acquired a love for tomatoes that led him to cultivate and grow tomatoes most of his life.
Following his graduation in Pickton Texas in 1951, he answered the call to serve his country. He joined the United States Army. While stationed in Korea, he learned some valuable skills in the field of communications. James was honorably discharged and he set out to build on those skills he picked up in the Army. He soon found employment in the communications industry. He possessed a get it done work ethic and had the ability to figure out almost anything he chose to tackle. These attributes caused him to be well sought after in his chosen field, continuously earning a good living until his retirement in 1996.
In 1958, while Jim was working for Western Electric in Dallas his younger sister Nelda introduced him to her roommate Margaret Ann Irvin, a file clerk at Neiman Marcus in Dallas. Before long they both decided they were meant for each other. On November 8, 1958, James married the love of his life at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church in McKinney, Texas. Their union was blessed with 65 years of love, partnership, family and shared adventures. At first Jim's jobs required travel. They were in New Jersey, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, West Texas, East Texas, South Texas, the Hill country etc etc, taking their newborn son Randy born August 18th 1959 with them. They lived in many places before settling in Mckinney TX not far from Jim's parents in 1962.
In 1970 they bought an old 9 acre farm east of Frisco in the old farming community of Foncine. It was known as the old Taylor place. There they embarked on a long series of adventures as they began restoring the century old buildings and cleaning up all of the junk. His exceptional carpentry skills became evident during those years. In 1971 Jim asked his recently retired Dad if they would care to live on the farm. They bought a mobile home and moved there soon after. Jim's long sought after 2nd son Jason was born December 19th 1972. In time Jim's oldest son Randy also moved his family to the farm in 1984. There they had a real family affair. Big gardens, acres of corn, livestock, an orchard, barns for the kids and grandkids to play in. The house was remodeled in what one would call 70's style. It looked great and was a great place to live. In 1977 the house was added on to. These were exceptional times for everyone. The best of times. The old farm was a frequent place for Rogers family reunions and Christmas parties for about 30 years.
In 1996, ready for their next adventure, they bought more than 11 acres full of oak, cedar and plum trees. There were woods along ravines and bluffs. Everywhere there were large brown rocks. There was also a beautiful building site. This place is located in Sunset Texas in Montague County. While they resided in a travel trailer, the shell of a 2 story house was built for them. With very few exceptions Jim finished the entire inside of the new house with the help of his wife Margaret. It was beautiful. They lived in the travel trailer for close to 2 years. After the house was completed he built 2 barns, pouring the concrete floors himself and then he renovated another one that was already on the property. He also taught himself how to do stone work adding some of the property's native stone to the house. He also built dams, ponds and stone retaining walls on the property. He built all of the fences. You'd think he had no time for leisure. He was an avid fisherman. There was a lake near the property and he spent many hours fishing with his sons and their children. He traveled often with his wife and attended many family functions.
In October of 2013 the then owners of the old Rogers place where Jim was born allowed his 80th birthday to be celebrated in the very house he was born in. There was quite a celebration. Jim's granddaughter Teema was born on his birthday in 1981. They often celebrated their day together. Jim liked to call her his girl.
In 2014 they were ready for a new adventure. They bought a house in Denison TX in order to be close to lake Texoma. At the age of 81 Jim started renovating yet another home which took the better part of 2 years. He then built a shop by completely enclosing the motorhome pole barn that existed out back. At 84 the transmission went out of his truck. He put the truck up on ramps on the concrete pad in front of his shop and proceeded to remove and install a new transmission, on the ground.
Jim possessed the rare ability to figure out, fix, repair, fabricate, or design just about anything. His hands were perpetually busy, always tinkering and working on various projects. Whether it was crafting furniture, repairing household items, or making a homebuilt trailer for his boat, he'd not just figure it out he would master it.
As his health began to fade he celebrated his 90th birthday with his granddaughter Teema. A special event was held on October 29th 1923 at Lake Texoma. He was surrounded by his sons and their wives along with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and his wife Margaret in celebration of his birthday and their 65th wedding Anniversary (November 8th). It would be the last time the family would all be together with him.
Jim passed away peacefully in Denison Texas December 29th 2023. After cremation he will interred in the historic section of the Bethel cemetery in Frisco TX. The land was originally ceded for usage as a cemetery by one of Jim's ancestors and is adjacent to the property that he was born on. He will have completed his journey, almost right back to where he started over 90 years ago. A long life well lived. Jim was a cat lover. His cat pretty boy misses him as much as the rest of the family.
James is survived by his wife, Margaret Ann Rogers of Denison, Texas; sons, James “Randy” Rogers and wife, Pamela of Frisco, Texas and Jason Alan Rogers and wife, Staci of Little Elm, Texas; grandchildren, Elisha, Teema, Braydon, and Garrett; great grandchildren, Jayden, Steevi, Rainee, and Ender; siblings, Sylvia Adams of McKinney, Charles “Cokey” Rogers and wife, Velda of Lone Oak, Texas, Joan Russell and husband, Robert of Parker, Texas, Gary Rogers and wife, Janie of Sherman, Texas, and Larry Bruce Rogers and wife, Suki of Prosper, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, O.B. Rogers, Jr. and wife, Mary; and sister, Nelda Jean Stulting and husband, R.E.
A Funeral Service will be held 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on James’s obituary page by clicking on the following link:https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/james-jimmy-rogers. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location.
The family will receive friends during a visitation on Tuesday evening from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In Lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to any Alzheimer research institution of your choosing.