someone, who is unlike any other, who changes your life forever by the simplest of acts. An earth
angel. That was our dad.
Born mid-winter, amongst the rolling hills of Washington County, the birth place of Texas, John David
Rogers was born on January 12, 1934. He was the youngest of three amazing children born to Rollie and
Cordelia (Smith) Rogers, Sr. But wait! I know what you’re thinking, who is John David? Well, John David
was a rambunctious, blue eyed, dirty blond haired 5 year old, who, when asked on the first day of school
what his name was, he proudly announced “Rollie Rogers, Jr.!” You see Rollie (Dad) loved his father so
very much, that he could think of no one better to be named after, and his mother agreed.
Though baptized at Paul Felder AME Church, Dad was raised as a Methodist and Baptist in a strong
southern tradition. He was a country boy who was raised to have a strong faith in God, to work and study
hard, and to always know how to count your money (guess that’s why he was so good in math).
Dad had two beautiful older sisters, the oldest, Freddie Mae (deceased and who also changed her name),
and Gladys Marie (deceased and the only one who liked her name). They were all protective of each
other and they were both protective of their little brother. He and his siblings walked five miles everyday
to school where he was an “A” student (his favorite subject was math, of course) and a star athlete (he ran
the 100 and 200). Dad and his family grew-up on farm land, next to cousins who all worked the land for
a living. Graduating at the top of his class, his desire was to attend Prairie View A & M (he received both
academic and athletic honors). But the Army was the road he and his cousins Turner and Otis took,
following their Uncle Smith, who was more like a big brother. Unlike their uncle, however, Dad and Turner
became paratroopers in the Army. Dad went on to become a rifle expert and a marksman. In fact, he was
so skilled in his training that in 1957, when President Dwight Eisenhower deployed troops to Arkansas
during its crisis, Dad was flown to Little Rock Arkansas to protect the infamous “Little Rock 9.” No, he did
not walk beside them, he was positioned on the roof of a building, “sniper patrol.”
After returning from the military, Dad moved to the hottest community for Black Americans, Pleasantville!
He later moved his parents to Pleasantville and then his grandmother, who was the first resident at Pleasant
Village Retirement Apartments. In 1960, he fell in love with the woman of his dreams, Marie Augustine
Espree (our Mom). Together they raised four amazing children, Selma Marie, Patricia Ann, Leorange Paul
and Mary Denice (none of whom changed their names). One of the things in life he treasured most was teaching Leorange how to hunt and fish. Dad was a die-hard sportsman and cook. Throughout his life he
continued his enjoyments of cooking (you name it and he could probably cook it), fishing, playing
domino’s (which included a tradition of “slamming” them on the table “Hard” on your win), watching
baseball, basketball, football and boxing (that is until Tyson bit off Holyfield’s ear).
But lets go back just a little. Remember when I mentioned Dad having this strong southern Methodist and
Baptist upbringing? And we know how strong those southern beliefs can be! Well, that changed a little
when he met the love of his life, our mom, who was a devout Catholic. I think you know where I’m going
with this, “happy wife, happy life”, well dad converted to Catholicism. You see dad was truly blessed in
many ways, which included being taught that if you truly believe in God, then no religion will ever come
between your growth and walk with the Lord. Dad was a proud Catholic…he was a proud Christian!
Throughout his life Dad has always loved, embraced and protected his family, because family was always
an integral part of his life. Dad and mom were Godparents to Terry James (Leroy and Saveila James),
Rochelle Dobbins (Edward and Willie Mae Dobbins, and Dena and Brittany Calvin ( Jody and Stella Calvin).
In 1988, he and mom welcomed and raised a great niece, Mary Coleman. Dad was also an uncle and a
second father to four nieces, Debra, Cynthia, Daureen and Laureen.
Dad worked as a truck driver at Weingarten, Grocery Supply and the US Post Office with his cousin Turner and some really great friends like Mr. Hunter, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Coruthers, Mr. Cunnimgham,and Scott, they were the Pleasantville crew.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18