Rogers Dempsey McAuliffe

After a long life of 94 years, Rogers Dempsey McAuliffe passed away of natural causes at Sunrise of John’s Creek on February 20, 2012. Rogers was born January 16, 1918 to John Claiborne McAuliffe and Annabel Rogers McAuliffe in Augusta, Georgia. He survived the great Flu Pandemic of 1918 and the Great Depression. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Just prior to the war, he married Atlanta native, Roma Jane McCollum, on April 5, 1941. Following his wartime service , “Mr. Mac” resumed his career at the Georgia Department of Transportation. During his 44 years of service, he working in many capacities including managerial roles at the Materials Testing Laboratory and as Director of General Support Services of GDOT. During his retirement, which began August 1980, he and Jane traveled extensively, relaxed, and enjoyed their grandsons prior to Jane’s untimely death in 1989. “Da” as he has come to be known to family and friends, continued to be the head of his growing family that includes his daughter Claire Ellis, Claire’s husband Gary, son Jim, Jim’s wife Ceci, grandson Mike, Mike’s wife Molly, great grandsons Max and Mason, and grandson Bill. Rogers enjoyed his many cousins with whom he grew up in Augusta and Atlanta. He was an active member of Briarcliff United Methodist Church, which was an important part of his spiritual life, and the First Thursday Group of retired GDOT colleagues. He always enjoyed working in his yard and garden and could be seen digging in the dirt on his hands and knees when he was 90. Everyone enjoyed his sense of humor that included his special repertoire of jokes and stories. He was never at a loss for words and was gracious in how he treated everyone with whom he encountered. Rogers embodied everything that we have come to know as The Greatest Generation. All that have had contact with Rogers over his many years are better people for experiencing his company. Our lives today are little less complete without Da’s presence. He will be missed. Visitation for family and friends will be 6 to 8PM Wednesday at H.M. Patterson-Oglethorpe Hill with the celebration of life service 11AM Thursday also at H.M. Patterson-Oglethorpe Hill with The Rev. G. Thomas Mustard officiating. Interment at Arlington Memorial Park will be private immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Humane Society of Blue Ridge Georgia at, 1426 East 1st Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 or to Briarcliff United Methodist Church at, 4105 Briarcliff Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30345.