Rev. Thomas Rogers

Rev. Thomas Paul Rogers
Rev. Thomas Paul Rogers 70 of Lancaster, Ohio, went home to his Lord and Savior at the Pickering House on January 27, 2014 after a courageous battle with Congestive Heart Failure. He was the son of the late Vernon E. L. Rogers and the late Marjorie C. Shillingstad Rogers, was born on January 5, 1944 in Elgin, N.D. He graduated from Lincoln High School, Mott, ND, in 1966 earned a BA in English from North Dakota State University, Dickinson, ND and in 1970 graduated with an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY. He received his Deacon Orders in the United Methodist Conference of North Dakota in 1967 and Elder Orders in 1972.
While in Seminary, Tom served the UMC charge of Rainsboro, Marshall, Boston and New Petersburg churches in Ohio. After graduation from the Asbury Theological Seminary, he moved to ND where he served the St. Thomas, Glasston and Hamilton UM churches plus a Cooperative with the Hamilton Presbyterian church. From 1972-1977 he pastored the Calvary UMC in Kindred and the Zion UMC near Walcott, ND. Returning to Ohio, Tom served the following churches: South Salem, Fruitdale, Lattaville and New Bethel UM, Trinity UMC in Bloomdale, St. Marks UMC where he held a position as Associate Pastor, Chesapeake UMC, Wesley UMC in Van Wert and Sixth Avenue UMC in Lancaster, all in the West Ohio Conference. Retiring after 40 years of ministry in June 2007, he accepted an appointment at Salem UMC near Carroll, OH April 2008; however, illness forced his premature retirement in March 2013.
Tom was a member of both the Hocking Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War (Camp McKinley #21). While serving as Chaplain in both organizations, he participated in parades, encampments, reenactments, grave markings, Save the Cannon and Brick Committee and volunteered for many other programs. He also conducted tours as docent at the Sherman House.
Tom is survived by his wife, Betty Anne Conkel Rogers whom he married on June 1, 1969; son Andrew N. (Gayle) Rogers; daughter Amelia J. (fiancé John M. Anderson) Rogers; two step-grandsons, Jacob (Sarah) Forshnell and Zachary (Donna) Forshnell; two future step-granddaughters, Heather R. Anderson and Ciana H. Anderson; five step-great grandchildren; siblings, Marcia Houtz, William (Melvina “Beanie”) Rogers, John (Judy) Rogers, and Julie (David) McKown; Other loved ones, many nieces and nephews; uncle Don (Ruth) Rogers as well as his beloved Black Lab, Happy who misses her best friend very much. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Raymond L. “Oscar“ Rogers, nephew, Ian James Rogers, and his other Black Lab, Ginger.
A thank you to the staff of FairHoPe Hospice and the Pickering House for their love and care they gave to Tom during this time.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 2:00 pm at the Sixth Avenue United Methodist Church with Rev. Richard Jones and Rev. Charles Imhoff officiating. Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at the church. Interment will be held Sunday, February 2, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery on Bridge St in Waverly, Ohio. Arrangements are being handled by the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 405 N. COLUMB US ST., LANCASTER, OHIO 43130.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Asbury Theological Seminary, 204 N. Lexington Ave., Wilmore, KY 40390; Sixth Avenue UMC, 1004 W. 6th Ave., Lancaster, OH 43130 or the Fairfield Area Humane Society, 1721 Granville Pike, Lancaster, OH 43130.
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