James Leslie Rogers' Obituary
James L Rogers, 89, of McKinney, Texas died September 4, 2017 in McKinney of natural causes, peacefully, in his sleep. He was born December 7, 1927, to Leslie Rogers and Mildred (Coit) Rogers in Fort Worth, Texas. He married Patsy Jean Martin on July 25, 1954 in Dallas, Texas. He was an insurance agent, spending his first 22 career years with the Insurance Company of North America where he specialized in risk management of aircraft. He then moved to partnership in a San Antonio based agency in 1972. He was with the agency Alexander and Alexander in their Dallas office for a time, and ended his career working with the Henry Butts group of dealerships in Plano, Texas. As a young man in 1963, he was in his office in downtown Dallas just a few blocks away when the shots rang out that ended the life of John F. Kennedy. Although he was at one time a member of the White Rock Yacht Club, his memberships were primarily faith-based. In chronological order since his graduation from Baylor University, his church memberships included Highland Baptist (Dallas), Wilshire Baptist (Dallas), Village Baptist (Oklahoma City), Trinity Baptist (San Antonio), Richardson Baptist (Richardson), and finally, First McKinney Baptist Church where he and his wife, Pat, were members for about 26 years. James served in the Army from 1946 to 1948 as an M1 Rifle Marksman, stationed in Japan. He was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal and Victory Medal for his service. He modestly and very rarely discussed his military tenure, and aside from using the GI bill to attend Baylor University, never took advantage of his benefits as a member of the armed forces. He felt that others were more deserving. Survivors include daughter: Ellen Dianne (Rogers) Winegeart [Husband Glen Winegeart] of Tyler, Texas; son: Matthew William Rogers of McKinney, Texas; sister: Louise Lockhart [Husband Robert Lockhart] of Abilene, Texas; 3 grandchildren, Bryan Winegeart (Jennifer), Blake Winegeart (Jenna), Katherine Rogers; 3 great-grandchildren Collins Winegeart, Emma Winegeart, Jude Winegeart. He was preceded in death by Patsy Jean (Martin) Rogers (2006). James Rogers, known as Jim, was a man of character, honesty, and faith. He was greatly loved, not only by his family, but also by his friends and associates, most of whom he knew from his various church affiliations throughout the years, business, and his family connections. His heritage was primarily Welsh and Scottish. As the son of a Baptist minister, coming from a line of preachers and missionaries (one of whom was executed in the American civil war for being a spy against the Union), Jim was faithful to God, and lived his life as he understood God wanted him to, raising his children in an atmosphere of love and dedication. A family man, Jim’s marriage to Pat was solid and permanent, lasting 53 years until her passing in 2016. He loyally cared for Pat for 15 years as she struggled through various illnesses that resulted from multiple myeloma, cancer formed by malignant blood plasma cells which destroy the body’s immune system. It was difficult, but he characteristically never complained. Jim was quiet when he was young. One day, as a student at Baylor, he decided he would become more outgoing, and began opening the door of the Student Union building for people and engaging them in conversation. On a social level, for the remainder of his life he continued “opening doors” and was loved wherever he went. He loved to fish, often spending hours at the family’s East Texas ranch hooking catfish and large mouth bass. When the bell rung which announced that breakfast was ready, he would always tell his son, Matt, to just keep on fishing…”we can eat at lunchtime,” he would say. And the bell kept ringing. While being skilled at several games such as dominoes, pool, and table tennis, Jim was primarily an astute Bridge player, who could turn a bad hand of cards into a victory much of the time. Those who were his partners would find that they were fortunately paired with a master of the game, which was never played for money. Jim was loved by his many friends and relatives. He had a large heart, with much love for many. His love was not overtly shown, but be assured that if you shared time together, he loved you. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, September 8, 2017 at First McKinney Baptist Church.
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