Leonard Gene Rogers, Sr., age 75, died Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, MS. He was born December 2, 1935 in Whitesville, Kentucky to the late James Alonzo Rogers and the late Viola Wimp Rogers.
When in high school, Leonard began working summers for Green River Rural Electric Cooperative, Corp. in Owensboro, KY. He worked in rural electrification from lineman in Kentucky, to Systems Engineer in Blytheville, AR, to working with the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA) out of Washington, D.C. as Senior Rural Electrification Specialist. This assignment took him to projects in Jamaica as Project Manager and in Central and South America, to Yemen, and India. After retirement from NRECA, Leonard developed his own consulting firm—still working with rural electrification.
In 1993 he moved back to Oxford, MS to be near the grandchildren—who were his absolute delight! They affectionately called him PawPaw and grilled PawPaw Patties (hamburgers) were their favorite food! Leonard always loved movies. His hobby became collecting information about old movies and movie stars and had begun writing a book about them. He and his wife, Sue moved to Water Valley in 2006.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2011 from 1:00 PM until 2:30 PM at Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley, MS. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 2:30 PM with Elder Josh Winslett and Elder Mark Quarles officiating. Interment will be in Shiloh Cemetery in Oxford, MS.
He is survived by his wife, Sue Fuller Rogers of Water Valley, MS; a son, Leonard Gene "Roge" Rogers, Jr. (Teri) of Collierville, TN; a daughter, Susan Lynn Rogers Newman (Joe)of Water Valley, MS; and three grandchildren, Randi Lynn Barber, Jeffrey Charles Rogers and Jennifer Lee Rogers.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Rowell; two brothers, James T. Rogers and Ronald F. Rogers; and a grandson, Jeremy Michael Barber.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to his beloved church, Antioch Primitive Baptist Church, (252 CR 303, Oxford, MS 38655), or a charity of your choice.