Richard Allen Rogers

Richard Allen Rogers, November 23, 1946 – August 14, 2026, of Waynesboro, Tennessee took his last breath at his home with his family by his side. He was 79 years old.

Born in Savannah, Illinois to the late Bernard Rogers and Marjorie Eadie, Richard was the eldest of four boys. He was a natural leader, respected by his brothers and loved deeply by his mother, whose strength Ric inherited.

He gave up his dream to be an accountant when, at the advice of his wise mother and to avoid draft placement, Ric volunteered to serve in the U.S. Navy. During his two tours of duty in Vietnam, he became a Seabee, building bridges, roadways, and bunkers. It was there that his love of construction began.

On February 8, 1969, Ric married the love of his life, Kathleen “Kathy” Taylor, or “Kit Kat” as Ric lovingly called her. It was through Kathy’s invitation to church that Ric found Jesus, and his life changed completely. Ric’s love for God was his driving force. From running sound to building fellowship halls, he found deep joy in serving others and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. He was determined to raise his children in that faith, and together, he and Kathy did so. Ric taught his children the importance of responsibility, giving, perseverance, and integrity. These lessons live on through each of them.

Ric provided for his family through construction, working on projects that included hotels on the beach and the first movie theater with stadium seating in Brandon, Florida. In his later years, the job took him to several states and he and Kathy enjoyed traveling and seeing the county he loved.

From hunting and fishing to spending time on the golf course, Ric loved being outside. Sitting by the fire on a cool evening was one of his favorite things. From game nights to movie nights, he enjoyed having his family together. If there was silence, you could always count on him to provide the background music. If you named the movie, he named the main actors. If you had a calculator, he could add faster. His one-liners will be quoted for generations. He laughed easily and loved deeply.

“Dad’s strength showed up in every facet – faith in Jesus, love for family, hard work, unwavering determination, constant promise keeper, generous provider, and reliable friend. As a little girl, he was my protector who kept me safe when I came to him for help. His example of a steady and selfless life paved the way to shape my character. Echoes of his wisdom and advice continue to influence my daily decisions. I thank the Lord for putting such a strong role model in my life.” ~ Tracy

“When I think of my dad, I hold on to the memories of how strong he was – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually! He taught me the importance of loving and trusting God, demonstrating strong work ethics, being a cheerful giver, helping others, being dependable, and providing unconditional love. He became a very close friend to me as I embarked on my adulthood. I could talk to him about anything and never felt judged. It has been a privilege to take care of him throughout the past year. He was truly focused on being Christlike and I’m grateful he was my dad!” ~ Angel

“I learned a lot from Dad. It’s amazing what you pick up as a child watching your dad. Dad loved to build. When Dad thought of giving, he gave big! He loved my mom. They spent over 50 years together. I’ve never seen a couple more opposite. God used their differences to help them grow and learn to love one another. I will always remember his strength and determination, his love of the outdoors, taking pictures, and his faith in God. That was the most wonderful thing in his life.” ~ Matt

Ric is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Kathleen Rogers; three children, Tracy Nicholl (Jeff) of St. Petersburg, Florida, Angel Locke (Bryan Holzworth) of Waynesboro, Tennessee, and Matthew Rogers (Glenna) of Cleveland, Tennessee.

He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Kara Lokrantz (Chase), Callie Marlof (Jake), Caden Nicholl, Isaac Locke (Winter), Joel Locke (Kelcie), Michael Rogers and Marc Rogers; four great-grandchildren; his siblings, Mark Rogers (Rae) and Kurt Rogers (Diana Witanski); and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his brother, Ronnie-Lee Rogers.

A celebration of life will be held on October 17, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at the Waynesboro Church of God (Ric’s home church) in Waynesboro, Tennessee. The family will receive family and friends from 10:00 - 11:00 prior to the service. All family and friends are invited to join us.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that contributions be made to the two churches Ric considered his own:

Waynesboro Church of God, Building and Construction Fund. 522 Highway 64 W. Waynesboro, TN 38485

The Kids of Conway, Conway Tabernacle. PO Box 844 Berea, KY 40403