James Leroy Rogers
James Leroy Rogers
James Leroy Rogers
September 14, 1944 – July 18, 2015
What Cheer, Iowa | Age 70
James Leroy Rogers, 70, passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, surrounded by his family. James Leroy Rogers was born September 14, 1944 in Oskaloosa, Iowa the son of Oden DeWitt Rogers and Eva Lorene Piercel.
Leroy was a 1962 graduate of Tri-County South High School. After graduating Leroy attended American Institute of Business for 2 years in Accounting.
On April 10, 1965 Leroy was united in marriage to Donna Sue Van Patten of What Cheer. He celebrated 50 years with his life long sweetheart just this year. The couple was blessed with 2 sons, Scott Allen and Bryan Leroy.
The couple lived in Williamsburg, Iowa where Leroy worked as an accountant for Farm Service. For several years Leroy was a successful feed salesman with Ralston Purina and Wake’s Feed. Donna and Leroy purchased a farm place in What Cheer, Iowa in 1978, when Leroy decided to pursue his passion for farming along side his wife and sons.
Leroy was full of life. He enjoyed life completely, whether it be playing cards and square dancing with friends, attending his kids and grandkids school events, fishing with the grandkids, working on the farm, or just spending time with family. The grandkids loved coming to the farm and riding in “Pa Pa’s” tractor, running on hay bales, going on morning donut runs to Casey’s with Grandpa, and checking on the cows. Never a passive Grandpa, Leroy could often be found on the floor along side the kids, playing right there beside them. Leroy always made his family feel loved by teasing, tormenting, and making up all sorts of nicknames for them. He gave them lots of hugs, laughs, and cherished memories. Leroy didn’t know any strangers. Everyone was his friend and he was willing to strike up a conversation with anyone, at any moment.
On Thursday July 16th Leroy suffered a heart attack. He passed away on Saturday July 18th at University of Iowa Hospital surrounded by his family.
Leroy is survived by his wife Donna, of What Cheer; two sons: Scott (& Lori) Rogers of Oskaloosa, Bryan (& Lynette) Rogers of Spicer, MN; one sister, Mary (& Larry) Kaufman of Anamosa; a sister-in-law, Donna Rogers of Oskaloosa; seven grandchildren: Adam (& Marianne) Rogers of Oskaloosa, Austin (& Whitney Hahn) Rogers of Oskaloosa, Alyson Rogers of Oskaloosa, Oden, Lucas, Ely, and Waverley Rogers of Spicer, MN; and two great-granddaughters, Annabelle and Willow, with more to come soon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Jerry Rogers.
Funeral services for Leroy will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 10:30 am at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer.
Burial will be held in the Indianapolis Cemetery at What Cheer.
Visitation begins at noon at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer on Wednesday, July 22 with the family present from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the What Cheer Fire and Rescue or the Keokuk County Ambulance.
