Elton Lee Rodgers

Elton Lee Rodgers, 94, of Baytown passed away peacefully at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital on Monday, July 23, 2018. He was born September 12, 1923, in Breckenridge, TX, the son of Tolbert Boye Rodgers and Vera Proctor Rodgers.

Elton has been married for 66 years to the love of his life, Lizzie Zoette “Joann” Hughes. They were married on March 13, 1952 in Kilgore.

After graduating from Kilgore High School in Kilgore, TX, he enlisted in the Air Force where he served in England and Germany from 1942 to 1947, and then served in the Reserve from 1947 to 1950.

He began working for Gulf Oil Company in Kilgore, TX in September 1947 at the age of 24. The company transferred him from Kilgore to Mooringsport, LA, then to Bristow, OK, and lastly, to Baytown, TX in 1963, where he and Joann have resided ever since. Elton retired from Gulf on July 31, 1983, with over 36 years of service. While in Louisiana, Elton was the Sherriff Assistant in Caddo Parish, and a City Councilman in Mooringsport. Elton volunteered and helped make candles with the Junior Achievement Program sponsored by Gulf Oil Company in Baytown for several years.

He became a Mason in 1947 at age 21, with 71 years as a Mason, and became a Shriner in 1967 at age 44, with 51 years as a Shriner, and has been a longtime member of the Goose Creek Masonic Lodge #1192 in Baytown. He is a past President of the Baytown Shrine Club, a member of Board of Directors of both the Baytown Shrine Club and Houston Shrine Club, Blood Drive Chairman for many years for the Baytown Shrine Club, Member of the Baytown Shrine Club Cooking Team, Committee Chairman for Bayou Bowl Football in association with the Baytown Shrine Club, and longtime volunteer at the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Galveston and Houston.

Elton was a Lifetime Member and volunteer at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and Volunteered at San Jacinto Methodist Hospital in Baytown for 15 years from 1996 to 2011. Elton is a member of Cedar Bayou Baptist Church in Baytown.

To make extra money for his family, Elton invented a “hand-held pea sheller” and sold it at the Sears Roebuck stores in both Oklahoma and Texas, and mail orders as well.

Elton was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald Rodgers; sisters and brother-in-law, Bermadine Rodgers and Wayne Yandle and Beverly Rodgers Hunter; and son, Danny Boye Rodgers. Elton is survived by his wife; children and their spouses, Margaret and Richard Lee of Maryville, TN; Betty Jo and Trey Dunlap of Baytown; Larry and Carol Fouts of Arlington, David Lee and Linda Rodgers of Baytown, Michael Frank and Sandee Rodgers of Laredo, and Kathy Rodgers and Gary Stone of Longview; grandchildren, Dr. Shawn and Wendy Lee of Bel Air, MD, Lt. Col. Kevin and Dee Dee Lee of Virginia, Eric Lee of Canyon Lake, Hulen and Cathy Bryant, Brandon Bryant , and Daniel Pantoja, all of Baytown, Terry Fouts Slack of Longview, James and Lisa Fouts of Arlington, Tara Lee Rodgers of Baytown, and Parker Rodgers, Sydney Rodgers, Justin and Amber Turner, and Aeriel Turner Abbott, all of Houston. Elton also leaves a host of other family members including great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and special friends.

A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Navarre Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 26, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at Navarre Funeral Home with Dr. Mark Broussard officiating. A graveside service will follow at 4:00 p.m. at the Rusk County Memorial Gardens cemetery in Henderson.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that you make a donation to the charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank Dr. Gregory Terry and caregivers, Orlando Hart and Julianna Rasberry, for their kind and loving care with Elton.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.