Joan Lawrence Rogers' Obituary
Joan Lawrence Rogers was born January 17, 1923, in Akron, Ohio to Gerald and Merle Margaret Wilhelm Lawrence. Joan was a graduate of Agnes Scott College of Atlanta, Georgia. She was a member of the Junior League of Akron, Ohio and in 1956 joined the American Red Cross in Japan, where she served in the 11th Evacuation Hospital in Sendai, Japan. There she met and married Captain Owen Larry Rogers, a veterinarian in the US Army. They were married in the American Embassy, Tokyo, Japan. Coming to Dallas Joan worked for the Retail Merchants Association in the Design District. When her husband Larry Rogers resign from his veterinarian practice, they began their travels. After 30 years of travel, nationally and internationally, they travelled all seven continents, extensively on six, and extensively in all 50 states. Joan crossed the Atlantic 34 times, crossed the Pacific 12 times and crossed the Equator 14 times. This included well in excess of 100 countries, territories and islands. They traveled the most primitive means to the most luxurious. Camel caravans in the Sahara and dug-out canoes in Nepal to luxurious cruise ships.
Together Joan and Larry made significant contributions to Dallas Charities-- Dallas Life, Salvation Army and SPCA. For 30 years they served Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at the Salvation Army. For those 30 years Joan played traditional Christmas carols and melodies on the piano. They had no children and wanted to do something for others. There have been several Dallas News articles written about the Larry and Joan Rogers. One by journalist Steve Blow. In one of those articles Joan Rogers said of their Salvation Army Thanksgivings and Christmases, “It’s been a blessing for us. We’ve met some wonderful people.” The Joan and Larry Rogers were delightful entertainers and outstanding cooks, known for their recipes. Joan was a writer for the White Rock Court Independent Living Newsletter with her entertaining stories and articles from their travels. Joan and Larry Rogers were married for 63 years when Larry died June 26, 2019.
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