Rev. Vernon David Rogers Sr.

May 30, 1928 – May 18, 2012

After living over eight decades in Hanford, Vernon David Rogers passed away at Adventist Medical Center in Hanford, California during the early hours of May 18th surrounded by his loving family. He was 83.

Vernon’s grandparents, Matthew and Lucy Bettencourt (Rodrigues) Rogers, emigrated from the Azores Islands to the United States in the 1890’s. Settling first in New Bedford, Massachusetts, they moved to Kings County in the 1890’s as one of the first pioneering Portuguese families.

Vernon’s father and mother, Joseph Rogers and Daisy Brewer, were neighbors living on the corner of highway 43 and Idaho Avenue. They both attended Eucalyptus School. Marrying later, Joe and Daisy had 7 children: Milton, Merrill, LaVonne, Ernie, Vernon, Glenda, and Marlene. Joe was a butcher at Justisen’s Market in the 1920’s, where the Hanford Cantina is today. They were instrumental in the founding of Glad Tidings Church in the mid 1920’s, and were life-long active members.

Born in his parent’s home on Florinda Street, Vernon attended Hamilton Elementary School, Woodrow Wilson, and graduated from Hanford High in 1946. He attended San Jose State University briefly before returning to Hanford to go into the meat business with his father. Rogers’ Meats was first located across the street from Hanford High along with Quality Market. In 1966 the business moved to the 10th Ave. Produce Market where Sierra Mini Mart is today.

It was during this time that Vernon met and married the former Sharon Carson whose family had moved to the Delta View area from Washington and Oregon in the 1940’s. Together they would have shared 55 years of marriage on May 26th.

In 1958, Vernon started the first religious ministry for inmates in the Kings County Jail. He worked in that ministry for 38 years. He also founded, and for 8 years directed a migrant ministry to the Hispanic “Bracero” workers on the west side of Kings County. He was a charter member of the Lemoore Gideon’s Camp, and an active member of both the Hanford Christian Business Men’s Committee and Full Gospel Men’s Fellowship. Vernon spent eight proud and memorable years in the Hanford branch of the National Guard.

Vernon and Sharon bought out Rogers’ Meats from his parents, but later sold it because they felt a calling to work with the many struggling youth that abounded on Hanford’s streets during the end of the 1960’s. They began inviting young people into their home on a weekly basis. Many of these kids came from prominent Hanford homes. Some were involved in drugs and or alcohol abuse. When the number of young people coming to their home became too large, they started “His Place on 7th Street”, a haven where the youth of the day could find counseling, prayer, and fellowship. This alternative to crime and drug use helped many teens get on the right track when they were going through a difficult period in their lives.

In 1970 the Rogers, along with Wes Champlin, David Tolliday, and Wayne Taulbee, founded The Kings Outreach, where Vernon served as director. During the early 1970’s, The Kings Outreach started other coffee houses in Visalia, Corcoran, and Coalinga. They also operated a thrift store, and a Christian bookstore, The Christian Supply Center. Vernon helped the Lemoore Naval Air Station start a program for the United States Navy to cope with the drug problem and also gave many presentations throughout the area in schools and civic groups on the dangers of drug abuse.

Vernon and Sharon felt a continuing need to reach youth before they became entrenched into a life of crime, drugs, or gangs, so in 1972 The Kings Outreach began a boys’ home in the red brick building across the street from the post office. There, juvenile offenders could receive support and counseling in a home environment instead of going to juvenile hall. This program was so successful that the Rogers began plans to build a boys’ ranch out in the country, where the boys could experience life away from the city and its temptations. The late Carl Martin donated the land on 14th and Kansas Ave. and the Kings Outreach Boys’ Ranch was built in the early 1980’s. All of the construction was paid for by grants and donations by local residents.

In 1973, Vernon took a leave of absence and, as an Ordained Minister, worked as a director of Shiloh Christian Retreat in Hamilton, Montana. It was during that time that he traveled on two separate occasions to Nigeria, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Italy, and Germany speaking in churches and evangelistic meetings along with well-known charismatic evangelist Chuck Flynn. Years later Vernon taught in Nepal, Bhutan, India and Thailand.

Returning to Hanford in 1975, Vernon resumed his work at the boys’ ranch. Literally hundreds of boys graduated through the Kings Outreach Boys Ranch program and are now leading productive lives as hard-working, good citizens. In 1980 Vernon was cited as the Kings County Peace Officer Citizen of the year. Vernon served the boys ranch until the early 1990’s, when he semi-retired. Feeling his life in ministry was not over; Vernon then joined the staff at Glad Tidings Church in 1995 offering much needed counseling and support as the Minister of Pastoral Care. In 1999 both Vernon and Sharon were honored to serve as Kings County Homecoming King and Queen for Hanford. Retiring in 2010, Vernon received a “resolution of recognition” from Hanford Mayor Dan Chin for his life-long work in the community.

Vernon enjoyed “investing into lives” especially those of his family. He was an extremely proud husband, father and grandfather. He was witty, encouraging and always had a smile. His Christian faith and his family were his greatest and most treasured accomplishments. He never knew a stranger and was always there for people.

Vernon is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sharon of Hanford. He is also survived by his son David Rogers of Bend, Oregon, his children- Dallas, Alexi, and Carson, and his wife Rhonda; his son Michael of Visalia, his children- Sarah of Fullerton CA, and Joseph and their mother Jeanne of Hanford; three sisters- LaVonne Rogers of Hanford, Glenda Welty of Watsonville, and Marlene Hill of Salinas. In addition to his parents, Joseph and Daisy Rogers, he was preceded in death by his brothers Milton, Merrill, and Ernie Rogers.

Vernon loved the Lord and was devoted to sharing the gospel and message of Christ Jesus to friends or strangers. His life was a reflection of not only what God had done in his life, but also what he knew God could do in others.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 24, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at People’s Funeral Chapel; 501 N. Douty Street, Hanford, CA 93230 559-584-5591. A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 25, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church; 750 E. Grangeville Boulevard, Hanford, CA 93230 559-584-8565 with Burial to follow at Hanford Cemetery; 10500 10th Avenue, Hanford, CA 93230 559-584-3937.

Family requests in lieu of flowers that remembrances be sent to Glad Tidings Church (Seniors Ministry) or the National Children’s Leukemia Foundation; 7316 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY 11234 718-251-1222 or 800 GIVE HOPE or email: [email protected]

Family and Friends may be sent to www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com to view Rev. Vernon’s legacy and send the family written and audio condolences.