James Marlin Rogers passed away on May 3, 2025, in his home.
He was born in Springfield, Missouri on February 15, 1946, to Loren and Mary Rogers, the second of four children.
After graduating from Strafford High School in 1964, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Alice. He joined the Navy to pay for the births of their two children.
He was given an honorable discharge and worked at Kraft Foods for several years before opening his own business as a house painter. His final job was as a route driver and salesman for Aramark. With his sharp wit and a joke always at the ready, he was great at the job, even being recognized one year as the top salesman in the nation, an honor he was especially proud of.
Jim loved hunting and fishing and poker, activities he could do with a beer in hand.
He also loved being married; so much so that he did it six times.
Although legally divorced at the time of his death, Jim and his wife Emma Jean (Kenslow) Rogers had been together since the late 80s, and still referred to themselves as husband and wife.
Jim did his best to be a father-figure to all his step-children, maintaining relationships with them long after the marriages ended.
He was preceded in death by his father, Loren Rogers, his mother Mary (Wood) Rogers, his sister, Joyce Rogers, a brother, Galen (Butch) Rogers, and his step-daughter, Lisa Cowens.
Jim is survived by one brother, Kenneth Rogers, his daughters, Sonia Rogers and Cynthia (Rogers) Cope, step-daughter Lynn Kenslow, seven grandchildren: Tia Clemens, Robert Murdaugh, Alex Murdaugh, Paul Cope, Roxeanne Cope, Sidnee Cope, and Noah Cope, along with six step-grandchildren: Autumn Cowens, Randy Cowens, Hayden Pierce, Karsen Pierce, Sasha (Cook) Lyon, and Danel (Cook) Bier. He had four great-grandchildren: Paige Clemens, Akari Murdaugh, Felix Murdaugh, and Elizabeth (Ellie) Murdaugh and ten step-great-grandchildren, Tycen Greer, Gavin Greer, J.J. Greer, Derek Sherman, Rebecca Sherman, Mark Barr, Cody Bier, Cole Bier, Estrid Lyon, and Austera Lyon.
Jim’s graveside service will be Friday, May 9, 2025, 2:00 PM, at Danforth Cemetery, Strafford, Missouri. Services are being provided by Greenlawn Funeral Home North.