Memorial services for Jerry F. Rogers 94, Lawrence will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at Plymouth Congregational Church. This will be a celebration of life for both he and his wife, Elizabeth Jane Heywood who preceded him in death on December 17, 2020.

Jerry was born on August 21, 1926 in Topeka KK, the son of Dean Rogers and Hazel Klingaman-Rogers.

At 17 years of age, he went into the Navy to serve in the Pacific Theater of WWII. When the war ended, he returned to Topeka where he attended Washburn University, played football for the Ichabod's and earned a Bachelor's degree in Education. He went on to Kansas University soon after and completed his Master's degree in Education.

While at Washburn, Jerry met and began dating Elizabeth Jane Heywood. They were named homecoming King and Queen and made it permanent in 1952 by becoming husband and wife!

They made their home in Lawrence with Jerry teaching and coaching at Lawrence High. Forever a proud Chesty Lion!

Jane was a homemaker and together they raised two children, Jennifer and Kyle.

Jerry left LHS in 1967 to be the Director of Financial Aid at KU until his retirement in 1991.

They both absolutely loved socializing with friends and were in many bridge clubs throughout their lives.

Jerry was an avid sports enthusiast. He had a 50 year stretch as a volunteer at the Kansas Relays and was on the "Chain Gang" for 49 years with KU Football. They had season tickets to KU basketball and attended every game for many years. They were both big KU fans but Jerry bled KU blue!

Through all of his endeavors it was always the connection to people that motivated him and he endeared himself to all who knew him.

He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Ann Rogers and her wife, Lisa Aquilar, his son, Kyle Winton Rogers and (his most cherished) three grandchildren; William Rogers, Caelan Rogers, and Sophia Rogers.

The family would like to express our deep love, appreciation and thank you to the caregivers and staff at Meadowlark, Keep Living at Home, Interim Healthcare and Hospice and Bridge Haven Memory Care. Your love and care made mom and dad's last year's safe, happy and filled with love. You all are amazing people and you have our lifelong love and gratitude.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jerry's name to Bridge Haven, Keep Living at Home or Interim Healthcare and Hospice and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

For more information or to post condolences go to warrenmcelwain.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Aug. 15, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Jerry Rogers

6 Entries

jon boller

August 5, 2022

This year has produced a perfect time to remember jerry and jane. KU's National Championship made us so happy for them I saw jerry with our grandson Will Rogers for the last time a few months before last season began. I told him KU recruiting was doing well and that KU & Bill and the boys would be a force that year. His face lit up like a kid on Christmas Morning! I sure wish he could have watched them last season. Well, maybe he did! Rest in peace Jerry and jane.

bo newsom

August 21, 2021

I enjoyed Jerry when he I was a student at LHS and I enjoyed him 35 years later as a neighbor! A really good guy.

Randy Signor

August 17, 2021

Coach asked me to be manager for track team my sophomore year when I also had him as my geometry teacher (he was great, loved geometry). He was kind, patient, and treated me as an adult, had many great conversations with him when riding to a track meet--he often drove so he could transport the poles for vault, too long to get on bus; I learned a lot. I stayed in touch and was pleased to have talked to him at our 50th reunion. A truly good man.

Cal Wiebe

August 16, 2021

I met Mr. Rogers, KU Financial Aid Director, in 1973 as part of the screening process for Summerfield/Watkins-Berger scholarship hopefuls. He was so helpful, friendly and kind. He asked very few questions, excused himself and when he came back he said he had all the information he needed and that I would be getting a full scholarship. He said it in such a way that it was decades before I realized that I got the scholarship because my family was very poor and I had good scores. He was a gem.

Reece Wiley

August 16, 2021

I first knew Jerry as an LHS student. He and Dick Samson were teachers who were always available to counsel a kid. Jerry and Max Rife were quite the pair. Later on,as a KU student, I was helped by Jerry in the Financial Aid office. A good and decent man.

jon and peggy boller

August 16, 2021

Jerry Rogers is one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. He and Jane were quite a couple. Many good memories.

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