John C. Rogers

I would like to share a piece of our father, although everyone has their piece of him they love and will live on to remember, but as time goes by we may tend to forget and that I cannot do for my siblings, my children or dads grandchildren. Please enjoy the 'life in pieces' as we do.

Dad was born to grandpa Morley and grandma Helen Rogers, whom were happily married and lived in Hazel Park, Michigan. Probably due to the harsh winters, our grandparents had to keep busy, and stay warm and in doing so Grandma births another child on December 2, 1932. She had a little boy; he was the seventh youngest child of eight.

During his younger years, he and his siblings grew up on Bernhardt Street. The brothers were doted over by the sisters, especially John. He was the little 'big' brother. The brothers would go down and play on the trains. One day, dad got mad at his youngest brother Charles, and tied him to the top of the train. Without realizing the outcome, he had to run home and get help from his other brother Bill, or they all were in big trouble is Charles doesn't make it home for dinner. Even during his young playful years he was a bad ass, in charge, cantankerous, but always protective of his family.

Dad was a stubborn man, he was too young to join the Armed Forces. He was not going to accept that and so he and his sister Emily concocted a mission to change his birth certificate so he could enter early the Army early. Dad was in the United States Army 674th Field Artillery BN (105MM) 187TH RCT. He was a paratrooper in the Korean War, and had over 100 jumps for combat. The Japanese gave the paratroopers of the 187th Infantry Regiment the nickname "Rakkasan", which loosely translated means "falling umbrella." The Rakkasans performed a textbook parachute assault and heavy drop at Sukchon-Sunchon. They also defeated the Chinese at the Battle of Wonju, performed another record-breaking airborne operation into Munsan-ni Valley, fought battles at bloody Inje and Wonton-ni, and quelled prison-camp riots at Koje-do. The Rakkasans successes in Korea changed the face of airborne warfare and revitalized interest in the use of paratroopers.

Dad was in a handful of trades. One of his first of many, he was a paper boy and that paper boy became the husband to a young lady named Elsie. Together they had a daughter Vickie Jean, this Union may have been short, but it was sweet, he was proud and loved his first born.

Moving on to the early years of 1963, dad lived in Las Vegas. He was working on Maryland Parkway and would go to lunch next door at the Kentucky Fried Chicken. No one really knows if the chicken was that good because he seemed to venture over there quite often. However, there was a beautiful young, hot and spicy lady from Spain. Her name is Maria, she is whom we believe was his reason to the constant KFC visits and lunches as she seemed to be all that and his bag of chips. Maria had a daughter named Marisa, John may have been a stepfather because of DNA, but she was his daughter that he loved so much, as his very own.

In 1964 they crazily moved backed to the cold state of Michigan. Together, March 1967, John and Maria had a gorgeous daughter of their own. Her name was Elena, that's me; I was his sidekick, his clone, his helper and his little princess. Dad and mom had a coffee shop, that he had named Maria's. My mother was getting a little tired of the snow and the cold and was trying to get John to relocate back to Las Vegas. It wasn't working fast enough for the spicy Spaniard. After many months, mom took money from the till and stuffed it in a pillowcase, putting it under the sink. When she got enough money, she took myself and Marisa back to Las Vegas leaving a note that said 'John, you come back to Las Vegas, that is where we will be!' What to do, dad angrily thinks!!?? So, he packs up the house in Michigan and trails to Nevada.

Dad worked construction on the hotels in Las Vegas. He used one of his 9 lives, when he fell from several stories high and bounced back. Nothing could ever stop this man from working, from living, from having fun. He enjoyed working in construction. My grandpa was good with his hands and he had construction in his blood that carried on through the Rogers legacy. The brothers all enjoyed working and contracting in this hard, creative and physical labor. He and his brother Morley did a lot of work together. Construction was a special family trait with Rogers Construction, lastly owned by oldest brother Morley.

Gambling was an all time high to this man. He enjoyed playing 21 on the Black Jack tables and he was great at it. He liked to go deep sea fishing, he loved watching western movies, he played on a bowling league, but truly enjoyed our family gatherings.

Your father, your brother, your grandpa, your uncle, your friend, he had a heart that was big and strong. Upon your first introduction of meeting him, he could make you feel warm and welcome, like he knew you forever. He was protective to his family, he guarded, and he assisted to the need of anyone if he able. He also had a temper that had no filter, but he could forgive the very next second. It is a special trait that my sisters and I have taken on and hopefully will live on through his grandchildren.

March, 2014 dad was diagnosed with NSCLC Adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer Stage IV. Early onset we were given a very grim outcome and only months to live. To both of our stubbornness and quick gesture to NO, dad and I made the pact to take on this 'war of the beast.' The biggest promise I had to endure, was to be strong and not cry. There were many battles within the war, but together we fought, we laughed, we marched, never giving up, never raising the white flag in defeat.

March, 2016, eight days shy of three years, dad endured a battle of hell with guts and glory, but never giving in. He coded 'blue' three times despite that, he came back to spend his final moments of life with me, it was my birthday. Every year on my birthday I called dad, to 'thank' him for being my father. I sat by his bedside 24 hours that day. I held his hand, I watched him sleep, I told him it was okay and he was going to be safe. We quietly listened to music, as the sun was setting I sit in a chair to nap. The nurse wakes me about 2:00am and says 'your father would like to see his daughter.' Confused, but happily I wake and think dads going to talk. He didn't use words, but he did talk to me!!! I held his hand and he squeezed and answered my questions. It was exciting and beautiful. Approximately 5:00am I sat in the chair facing the window, looking at dad, as he looks at me. I read his eyes, as he try's so hard to convey his thoughts. I stand up, grab dads hands and rub the inside of it and tell him it's ok daddy. You're going to be ok. He squeezes my hand so very strong. We stay together in the moment. About 10 minutes dad releases my hand and I whisper it's ok daddy. I give him his FaceBook love, the comments, and prayers. I rub his forehead and tell him to rest. I sit down and watch him, the room is quiet. The room gets more quiet and more still almost as time stopped it was full of peace, so quiet I didn't hear the ventilator. After some time, I reflect the beauty in the room, the splendid feeling of warmth and love surrounding my heart that took over the room. At that moment I knew it was time. It was time for me to make the next decision. The hardest decision to make of my life, but then it was the most special as Dad stares into my eyes, I tell the doctors 'yes please take my father off the ventilator.' I did not cry, I stood strong, standing their with his granddaughter we held his hand and watched him take his beautiful last breath and it was so painless, so quiet, and so humble. I now was able to shed a tear, but more importantly I want to get up in my dads bed and lay on his chest one last time and let him hold me as his little girl. I played him a song, I closed my eyes and we payed there together. I knew and know our dad now is at peace having everyone's love in his heart.

Dad knew he was loved, I reminded him of the sentiments I would get and give to him. The last weekend, even though he had to walk through the darkest valley alone, Dad was coherent, I read the texts, he heard your wishes, he saw your pictures on FaceBook, and he heard all your prayers.

John, our father, he is loved by so many and will be missed by all.

Dad is survived by his beautiful first born Vickie Jean married to Rick. Second daughter Marisa. Youngest daughter, Elena married to Donnie.

John had 7 grandchildren, Michelle, Tina, Charlie, Alexis, Victoria, Brandon, Nicole.

He had 9 great-grandchildren, Kassidy, Alyssa, Dominic, Anthony, Matteo, Gage, Kyle, Ryan, Sean.

Dad was comforted, loved and survived by companion Beulah Cahoon. Her granddaughter Glenda assisted in taking our dad to his eye appointments, as that was their special time he would tell me.

He had four sisters, one predeceased and three brothers, two predeceased. He has many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

A Funeral is scheduled for

Sunday, March 13, 2016

*Viewing 12:00 pm

*Services 1:00 pm

Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary Valley View Chapel

3520 E. Washington St.

Colton, CA 92324

(909) 825-3024

Reception to follow at

11425 Chaucer Street,

Moreno Valley, CA 92557

951-567-4327

All are welcome to attend and celebrate John’s life. The family would like to thank PA Lyanne Troung, PA Christina, Dr. Whalen, Oncology clinic staff, ER and all of the VA hospital person(s) for their efforts, care, and dedication.

Place of Interment is at the Riverside National Cemetery at a later date and time.

You can let go now, Daddy!

Wind blowin' on my face

Sidewalk flyin' beneath my bike

A five year-old's first taste

Of what freedom's really like

He was runnin' right beside me

His hand holdin' on the seat

I took a deep breath and hollered

As I headed for the street

You can let go now, Daddy

You can let go

Oh, I think I'm ready

To do this on my own

It's still a little bit scary

But I want you to know

I'll be ok now, Daddy

You can let go

I was standin' at the altar

Between the two loves of my life

To one I've been a daughter

To one I soon would be a wife

When the preacher asked,

‘Who gives this woman?'

Daddy's eyes filled up with tears

He kept holdin' tightly to my arm

‘Till I whispered in his ear

You can let go now, Daddy

You can let go

Oh, I think I'm ready

To do this on my own

It still feels a little bit scary

But I want you to know

I'll be ok now, Daddy

You can let go

It was killin' me to see

The strongest man I ever knew

Wastin' away to nothin'

In that hospital room

‘You know he's only hangin' on for you'

That's what the night nurse said

My voice and heart were breakin'

As I crawled up in his bed, and said

You can let go now, Daddy

You can let go

Your little girl is ready

To do this on my own

It's gonna be a little bit scary

But I want you to know

I'll be ok now, Daddy

You can let go

You can let go