Samuel Monroe Rogers III

My precious son Samuel Monroe Rogers, III, of Bryan, left this life on Friday June 26, 2015, after fighting multiple illnesses over the last few years. He was 36 years old at his death. He has taken permanent residence in his heavenly home and is finally at perfect peace. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan with Reverend Fr. Bo Majors officiating.

Sam was born August 27, 1978, in Englewood, Colorado, but, as the joke goes, he got here as quick as he could, when his parents moved back to Texas when he was 6 months old. For those of you who knew him at different times in his life, you may remember him as Sammy, the warm and funny kid who loved life, music and everyone he ever met. Always with a smile, he greeted strangers and friends alike. A little older, and answering to Samuel or Sam, he loved computers and all things electronic from the first one he touched. His comprehension of computer things was innate and amazing to see. He later certified to work on almost every major brand of computer. His interests eventually evolved into teaching people about computers and then to corporate training in call centers… and this, all before he was 21 years old. Sam loved all types of music from Big Band to Contemporary Christian to techno to rap. He also loved playing the saxophone in school and was learning the piano at the same time. He had a musician’s ear and heard music in, what I thought, were the funniest places. When he was a teenager, Camp Waluta had a clothes dryer that made a certain squeak pattern that Sam pointed out to me and voiced accompaniment to it so I could hear his vision. He always planned on “doing something” with music and computers when he got well enough to pursue another career.

Camp Waluta, besides having a musical clothes dryer, gave him the best friends he had on earth. From the time Sam was in Elementary school until just two weeks ago, he attended camp sessions almost every summer he was in Texas, first as a camper, then as a counselor. Most recently, as he was not well enough to be in charge of the children, he signed up to be the cook’s helper just so he could try to be of some service to the camp he loved so much! Besides camp (and all that went with it), music and the newest technology, Sam loved animals to the depth of his heart. We rescued quite a few cats and dogs over the years and a cat in need would always run straight to Sam. He could see their need and point it out to the rest of us from a distance; he was so in tune with them. He loved all animals, but cats were his favorite pet. If a snake was found in the yard, I had to go in the house while he relocated it to an empty lot somewhere in the neighborhood. He said all animals have a right to live.

Samuel is survived by his mother, Marcy Rogers-Powell of Bryan, his maternal grandmother, Mary Majors of College Station, half-sisters Sandra Rogers Griffin and Sheri Rogers Ford, half-brother Bruce (Deano) Divers, with whom Sam was raised, uncles, Dr. Chuck (JoAn) Majors of Caldwell and Fr. Bo Majors of New Orleans, as well as nephew Sebastian Divers, Kendry Speight, Monty Roberts and multiple cousins and many friends. Sam is preceded in death by his father, Samuel M. Rogers, Jr., of Beaumont, paternal grandparents Sam and Helen Rogers of Beaumont, and maternal grandfather Dr. Joe Charles Majors, Jr., of College Station.

God has perfect plans for His children when they get to Earth, but this earthly life has imperfect circumstances that can steal those God-given gifts and talents and then steal the very essence of that person unto their last breath. As Sam’s earthly parent, this is not what I had pictured for him, but as a Christian, I do not question God, as He says He works to the good for those who love HIM and are called according to His purpose in Romans 8:28. I know that Satan would have us believe that he has won, but Sam was good and pure of spirit (as we humans go) and in need of Heavenly intervention. This IS Sam’s victory, and to God be the glory! Please, tell people about Sam’s life. He would love to know that someone may understand God’s ways better because of what he went through, that his suffering was not in vain!