David Francis Rogers

August 30, 1947 – September 6, 2026

Some people leave behind a collection of dates and accomplishments. Others leave behind stories.

David Francis Rogers left behind stories. Lots of them. Stories that make you laugh. Stories that make you shake your head. Stories about his quick wit, his sense of humor, his tough love, his generous heart, and the countless ways he showed up for the people he loved.

David Francis Rogers was born August 30, 1947, in New London, Connecticut, to Lester and Gladys Rogers. As a young man, Dave answered the call to serve his country, joining the United States Air Force and serving during the Vietnam War.

His military service began what would become a lifetime of serving others. After retiring from the Air Force, Dave began another career in public service as a postmaster. Eventually, he retired for a second time, but apparently twice still wasn't enough. He later worked for Bellevue Public Schools as both a school bus driver and student aide.

Dave also continued his education and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Bellevue University.

Throughout his life, Dave had a special place in his heart for children. He was a Shriner and would dress as a clown, make balloon animals, and bring smiles and laughter to kids. His experiences as a Shriner even included the opportunity to meet legendary comedian Red Skelton.

Dave also volunteered with Special Olympics, continuing a pattern that could be seen throughout his life: finding ways to serve, help, encourage, and bring joy to others.

Veteran. Postmaster. Student. Shriner. Volunteer. School bus driver. Student aide.

The titles changed throughout his life.

Dave's willingness to show up for people never did.

At the center of Dave's world was his wife, Cyndi Rogers, and the family they built together.

Their children are Tracy Pagud, Jacquelynn Pagud, Timothy Pagud, and David Rogers. Their family also includes daughters-in-law Joni Pagud and Sonja Rogers.

Dave's grandchildren are Tyrone Pagud, Kyra Pagud, Mayah Pagud, Kevin Carter, Allena Roseborough, Monkeya Edwards, Ladina Pagud, Gabriel Pagud, Thomas & Mahealani Manago, Kamalani Bush, Joshua Pagud, Ciara Rogers, and Marcus Rogers.

His great-grandchildren are Noah Pagud, Montana Carter, Kevin Carter, Matthias Carter, Jeremyah Pagud, and Aaliyah Etim-edet, and his family grew another generation with his great-great-granddaughter, Juliana Carter.

It is a beautiful family tree.

But to Dave, they weren't simply names on a tree.

They were his people.

And if you were one of Dave's people, you knew it.

One of the greatest titles Dave ever received was simply:

Papa.

His 13 year old grandson, Marcus, described him in perhaps the most meaningful way possible:

“He was the perfect Papa.”

His granddaughter Ciara made sure Granny and Papa were part of her important milestones. She wouldn't go to homecoming or prom without first stopping to see them and taking a picture together.

Those photographs now mean more than anyone could have imagined at the time. They capture a granddaughter making sure her grandparents were part of the moments that mattered.

Because Papa was someone you wanted there for the important moments.

And Papa had his own unmistakable way of showing love.

Whenever the grandchildren visited, there was a snack cabinet stocked for them. When it was time to leave, Papa made sure they took snacks home.

Did they need them? It didn't matter.

Papa had snacks, and those snacks were going home with his grandkids.

Then there were the purchases.

Why?

Because Papa.

Everyone eventually learned an important lesson: don't joke with Papa about something you want.

You might forget you mentioned it.

Papa wouldn't.

Before long, there was a pretty good chance an Amazon package would be sitting at the front door.

There didn't need to be a birthday or holiday. Sometimes Dave simply saw something, thought of someone he loved, and decided they should have it.

Underneath the snacks, gadgets, noisy toys, and unexpected Amazon packages was something much bigger.

Papa was always thinking about his people.

Dave loved the holidays too, decorating the living room for each one. Halloween was particularly special. He loved sitting outside in the driveway with candy, waiting for the neighborhood trick-or-treaters.

Looking back, it fits perfectly with so much of Dave's life.

This was the same man who dressed as a Shriner clown and made balloon animals. The same man who volunteered for Special Olympics. The same man who drove a school bus and served as a student aide. The same “Unko” family members remembered as their favorite babysitter.

And eventually, the same man his grandchildren adored as Papa.

Dave loved making people smile.

After his passing, messages arrived from family and friends sharing remarkably similar memories. They remembered his kindness, generosity, humor, support, and the way he made people feel loved.

One person remembered Dave as a great Uncle, babysitter, friend, and father figure. Another remembered how Dave and Cynthia watched over them during their college years and always made sure they were taken care of.

Another friend remembered Dave insisting that she take a bag of chocolate-covered popcorn before leaving his house.

Apparently, nobody was leaving Dave Rogers' house empty-handed.

One friend beautifully described Dave and Cynthia together:

“When it comes to showing kindness and generosity, you two were an unbeatable match.”

Perhaps one of the greatest gifts Dave and his family received came during the final week of his life.

On August 30, 2026, Dave celebrated his 79th birthday surrounded by his family.

They shared memories. They sang his favorite songs.

And Dave clapped and danced.

His family described it simply as “the best birthday ever.”

At the time, no one could fully understand just how precious that celebration would become.

But Dave got to be there.

He heard the stories.

He heard the songs.

He saw the faces.

He celebrated.

And most importantly, he got to feel just how deeply he was loved.

Seven days later, on Sunday, September 6, 2026, David Francis Rogers passed away.

Cyndi later found the words that captured what everyone who loved him was feeling:

“He was ready, but our hearts weren't.”

Dave will be laid to rest on September 18, 2026, with the honor befitting a United States Air Force veteran at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

But that is only where he will rest.

It is not where he will remain.

Dave remains in the hearts of the family he built with Cyndi.

He remains in the hearts of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-granddaughter.

He remains in the hearts of the people he helped and the children he made smile.

He remains in the stocked snack cabinet, the holiday decorations, the Halloween candy, the unexpected Amazon packages, and the homecoming and prom photographs with Granny and Papa.

He remains in the jokes, the lessons, the tough love, and the generosity.

And he remains every time someone begins another story with:

“Remember when Dave…”

There will be many of those stories.

There should be.

Because David Francis Rogers spent a lifetime showing up for others.

He showed up for his country.

He showed up for his community.

He showed up for his friends.

He showed up for children.

And above all, he showed up for his family.

He was a husband, father, veteran, Post Master, Shriner, volunteer, Uncle, friend, and so much more.

But to generations of the family who loved him, he was simply:

Papa.

The perfect Papa.

He was ready. Our hearts weren't.

He was deeply loved, and he will always be remembered.

Until we meet again.

Love and aloha. ❤️

A Committal Service will be held at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Mem, Boulder City, NV 89005, US, on September 18, 2026, from 9:20 am to 10:00 am.