Francis Aston Rogers

Francis Aston Rogers was born on July 31, 1927 in Kingston, Jamaica. He was the first born child of Aston Dunbar and Margaret Gertrude Rogers. His brother Raymond was born eighteen months later. Francis and his brother grew up in Jamaica on a banana plantation and graduated from high school in Kingston. When he was 20, Francis moved from Jamaica to Rochester, New York. After working several odd jobs in Rochester, he joined the Navy and served as a sailor for 4 years.

In 1952, Francis went to a square dance where he met the love of his life, Patricia Ann Geiser. After several years of courting, Francis and Patricia married on October 11,1955. In August of 1957, the young couple moved from Rochester, New York to Redondo Beach, California. Patricia was eight months pregnant during this cross country move and a month after they arrived in California, their first born child, son David was born. Eighteen months later, their second child, son Steven was born and then eighteen months after that their daughter Linda was born. In 1963, Francis moved his family from Redondo Beach to Orange, California.

Francis worked as an engineer at several space exploration companies until he was 55 when he became a computer technician for Los Angeles County. At this job he was part of the crew that installed the first computer system for all of the LA County Sheriff's Department stations. He continued working at LA County as a computer repair technician for the systems that had been installed. He retired after 20 years with the county at the age of 75.

Throughout his life, Francis participated in a variety of activities. In the 1960’s he was a gyrocopter enthusiast and the family would travel from Orange to El Mirage Dry Lake Bed where he would fly with other enthusiasts. When his sons were young, he was involved in the Boy Scouts, especially the Pinewood Derby. Later he was involved in the Soap Box Derby, assisting his sons to design, build and race their own cars.

In the early years, Francis took his family camping to Yosemite and Mt. Shasta. He also did two cross country trips (driving) to Rochester to visit family and friends. He practiced the martial art of Aikido. He was a member of the Ebell Club - a service club in Santa Ana. He, along with his wife, was an active participant of the Home and Garden component of the club.

Francis and Patricia were able to take several cruises together to the Caribbean, Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands. He enjoyed square dancing with his wife. They met at a square dance but when they moved to California and had young children they didn’t have time for this activity. In 1975, they returned to square dancing and were members of the Disneyland Squares, Rainbow Squares and Shirts N Skirts Square Dance Clubs. They continued square dancing for over 40 years.

Francis’ favorite activity was sailing. He was able to purchase his own yacht - a 28 ft Catfisher and was a charter member of the Dana West Yacht Club for about 40 years. He later bought a 32 ft Catfisher catamaran that was docked in Long Beach Harbor and was a member of the Long Beach Power Squadron. He was able to sail and work on his boat until he was 90.

For their 60th Wedding anniversary, their children gave Francis and Patricia a reception party. Their wedding was a simple affair making this party very special for them. Family and lifetime friends as well as more recent friends attended this affair. When he was 90, Francis moved to Apple Valley, California so he could be closer to his children. Francis will be remembered for being helpful and dependable, his hard work, and for being a fun person to be with, as he enjoyed meeting new people and striking up a conversation.

Francis was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Patricia Ann Rogers. His brother, Raymond passed two days after him. Francis is survived by his son, David Francis Rogers; son, Steven Paul Rogers, daughter, Linda Marie Billings; son-in-law, Rick Lee Billings; granddaughter, Lana Michelle Adling and husband David Andrew Adling, grandson, Philip Cory Lemke; granddaughter, Heather Marie Fiske and husband Derek Allen Fiske; grandson, Cody Allen Ferneau; granddaughter, Miranda Nicole Myers and husband Joel David Myers; grandson Brandon Michael-Richard Billings and great grandchildren, Carson Allen Fiske, David Wyatt Adling, Dakota Riley Fiske, Logan Gary Adling, Charlie Patric Myers, Emmett Davis Adling, Sawyer Philip Adling with another great grandson on the way “aka Bean.”