Water Wonderland Chapter Past President Jack L. Rogers Passes Away

We are sad to report this evening the passing of Jack L. Rogers. This message came in from Laura White earlier today. – Texx

Good afternoon friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I pass along the news of the passing of another one of our very good friends, Jack Rogers.

Jack was President of the Water Wonderland Chapter in 2007- 2008. He was Vice-President in 2005 – 2006. Jack was elected to the Board of Directors and served in 2003 – 2004 before being nominated for Vice President. Jack also repeatedly organized the Manistee River Rendezvous. He is also the father of Jeff Rogers and the grandfather of Jack Colson Rogers, one of our newest members.

As Jacks obituary so eloquently reflects, Jack was a great man and will truly be missed by so many! Please keep Jack’s family in your thoughts and prayers in the coming days.

Laura White
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Rogers, Jack L., July 2, 1941 – May 3, 2015

Jack Lynn Rogers, age 73, went to be with his Lord and Savior early Sunday morning, May 3, 2015 after a three-year journey with adrenal cancer. While he persisted valiantly throughout this trial, he already knew the battle had been won – and Who would claim the ultimate victory! And it’s now in the actual presence of the God he loved and served so well that Jack heard those long-awaited words on Sunday, “well done, thy good and faithful servant.”

Jack was born on July 2, 1941 in Sparta, Michigan. He married Joan Moerdyk on September 9, 1966 and they shared nearly 48 years of love and friendship together. Together, they enjoyed great memories of time spent with family and friends all rooted in the foundation of their Christian faith. Professionally, Jack invested 39 years with Spartan Distributors and TORO and the many colleagues and customers he truly cared about personally.

After “retiring” (for a week or so) in 2003, he realized sitting still wasn’t an option and began a second career in commercial real estate with FS Realty. The three common denominators throughout his 51 year professional career were unmistakable: his love for people, his unwavering integrity, and unyielding persistence. I think it’s fair to say that for Jack, a simple “no” did not stop him from still pursuing the sale but rather encouraged him to land the deal even more.

Fellow Woody Boaters Jeff and Jack Rogers

Above all, the foundation on which Jack’s personal, family, and work life was built was his faith. While through the extended Rogers/Schut families he was blessed with a rich Christian heritage, he also realized that God simply put “does not have any grandchildren.” His faith then became his own through his personal trust in Jesus Christ and he spent the decades after that deepening his walk with the Lord. From teaching Sunday school at Sparta Baptist for years to high school young men, giving out Bibles at schools as a Gideon with his Uncle Floyd Schut, serving as president of the Rotary Club of Sparta, to his service on various boards he simply enjoyed sharing his faith wherever he went. It was clear to him, however, that none of these things were done to earn God’s additional favor, but as merely an outpouring of gratitude for what God had done in his life. His primary ministry, however, was ultimately his family and for those lessons taught, spoken, and lived out, they will always be grateful.

Jack assisting with the awards presentations during the 2009 Boats on the Boardwalk event. (Chad Durren photo)

In addition to his beloved wife Joan, Jack is survived by his two children: Jeff & Meghan Rogers and Ben & Jennifer Slenk as well as grandchildren: Christian Slenk, Elizabeth Slenk, and Jack C. Rogers. He is also survived by his siblings: Alwin & Joan Rogers, Jon & Marilyn Pike, Roger & Carolyn Hixon, and Roy & Sharon Rogers along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin & Evelyn Rogers.

Jack’s family wishes to thank all the family, friends, and colleagues who have shown their care and concern over the years and especially throughout these last three. And they’d like to give special thanks to Dr. Alan Campbell and Susan E. at the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Center for brightening this journey through their personal care and attention. Friends are invited to visit with Jack’s family on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE, Grand Rapids.

The service to celebrate Jack’s life will be held on Thursday, May 7 at 1 PM at Calvary Church, 707 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids with Pastor Doug Bytwerk officiating. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Gideons International, Moody Bible Institute, or Our Daily Bread Ministries are appreciated. To read more about Jack’s life, to share a memory or sign his guestbook, visit www.lifestorynet.com