Edmund Louie “Pete” Rogers passed away late Saturday night, September 8th in Bakersfield, at age 94. He will be missed by family and friends, but not forgotten for the generosity of his friendship and the love in his heart.
Born on February 22, 1924, in Ft. Cobb, Oklahoma, Pete was the seventh of eight children. His parents had a small farm, but his father was also a schoolteacher. He grew up in the boom times of the 1920s as well as during the Great Depression and on the fringes of the Dust Bowl of the 1930s that sent so many of his generation to California, looking for a better life. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he joined family members who had earlier migrated to Bakersfield and began work in the oilfields, with Atlantic Oil Company. He worked for many years as resident production superintendent for Atlantic, as well as for Larry C. Dougan (Dougan Oil, and Atlantic & Dougan), a position he held beginning March 1, 1955. Ownership of the properties evolved and changed names, but Pete Rogers’ presence was a constant, even as he and Mr. Dougan found business opportunity in buying and selling used oilfield equipment. From 1984 to 1986 he fulfilled his lifelong dream of being the owner of several oil wells named Lerdo Petroleum. Even though his formal education was limited, Pete was quick with numbers.
Pete made friends wherever he went. A hard worker and devoted family man, he was a “glass half full” kind of guy, quick to smile and treasure even the smallest moments. Whether helping coach his young sons’ baseball teams, helping 4-Hers at the Kern County Fair, or untangling a son or daughter’s fishing line, Pete had a servant’s heart. At various times he was a member of the local VFW Post, and the Kern County Gem & Mineral Society.
In 1952 he met Zelma Fay Haines, whom he married on February 6, 1953 and brought into the extended Rogers family two boys, John and David, from Zelma’s previous marriage and adopted them in 1956. Pete and Zelma had two more children together, Bill and Elizabeth. Many of their favorite family times were travelling across country to visit Pete and Zelma’s family roots in Oklahoma and Texas, or finding new fishing holes while exploring the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains in California or the Rockies of Colorado.
Pete is predeceased by his beloved wife, Zelma, his parents Mary Frances and Robert, his brothers Alvin and Herman, and his twin sisters Edith and Edna. He is survived by sisters Vestal Southwick and Mary Hooker, both of Bakersfield and sister Ann Thomas, son John; son David and wife Kim (Blowing Rock, NC); son Bill and his wife Kathleen of Bakersfield, and daughter Elizabeth and her spouse Debbie of Fortuna, CA. He also is survived by grandchildren William II (Bakersfield), Cassandra Cates (Sterling Heights, MI), and Brian Rogers (Bakersfield). Great grandchildren include Levi Rogers and Jayla Rogers, both of Bakersfield.
He leaves behind nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as many treasured friends.
A memorial service will be held on September 23, 2018, 1:30 at Hodel’s restaurant in Bakersfield.
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