Rogers Douglas Wilson

Rogers Douglas Wilson, 86, was born on March 2, 1936 in Houston, Texas to Rogers C. and Hattie Wilson. He was a graduate of Stephen F. Austin High School and the University of Tennessee, though he claimed the University of Texas as his own when it came to sports.

In 1959, Rogers married his junior high sweetheart and love of his life, Sandra Lee Moore, and they moved to Redondo Beach, California for a brief time before returning to Austin where they have lived ever since. They were blessed with two daughters, Tracy and Sharon, who Rogers loved unconditionally and proudly.

Rogers was the consummate businessman and entrepreneur. He started his career in sales and rose immediately to be the top salesman in his company, Armstrong Flooring. He has owned businesses in insurance, automobiles, nursing homes, construction, real estate development, banking, finance, and oil exploration. As a young businessman, Rogers was the president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Nursing Home Association, and was selected Outstanding Young Man of Austin in 1966. He served as the Chairman of Travis Bank and Trust for 18 years, and President of the Austin Country Club in 1985.

Rogers was an athlete and ardent sportsman. He excelled at tennis, baseball, and basketball during his school years. Rogers won the Austin City Championship in tennis at age 12, played in the American Legion national baseball finals in his teens, and played college basketball for four years. As an adult, he enjoyed playing tennis, golf, snow skiing, and hunting. He was a season ticket holder for the University of Texas football, basketball, and baseball and when he was not attending the Longhorn games, he was watching them or spending time at the family ranch.

Rogers picked up the love for travel from his wife, Sandra. Together they have traveled to six of the seven continents and all over the United States. Among Rogers’ favorite places he visited were Africa, Hawaii, Bali, and all over Europe. A highlight for Rogers and Sandra was a trip around the world for their 65th birthdays, just the two of them and their backpacks. They enjoyed playing golf together at many courses in the United States and abroad.

Above all, Rogers was committed to his faith, family, and friends. He was raised in a Christian home and came to saving faith in Jesus Christ as a child. He was baptized at Lawndale Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, served as a deacon at First Baptist Church Austin and as a trustee at Texas Baptist Children’s Home. He walked with Christ throughout his life and has been described by his friends as a man of integrity who never wavered in his honesty or loyalty. He highly valued his friendships and was committed to his golf group, his coffee group, his birthday group, and so many others. Rogers had a way of making each person with whom he interacted feel special.

Rogers is joining his parents, Rogers C. and Hattie Wilson in Heaven, as well as his brother, Ray Wilson and sister Rosemary McTaggart and her husband Lester. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sandra Wilson, his brother Joe Wilson and wife Sue, his sister-in-law Lucy Wilson, his daughter Tracy Wilson Miller and husband Jerry, and his daughter Sharon Wilson Barton and husband Clay. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Hannah Miller Friggel and her husband Steven, Luke Miller, James Barton and his wife Lorrin, and Kyle Barton and his wife Mary Layne. Rogers is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Rowan David Friggel, Finn Rogers Friggel, and Elle Marie Barton.

Funeral services will be held at Austin Baptist Church, 7016 Ribelin Ranch Drive, at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 20th. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of choice.