Dr. Jon Guy Rogers, age 84, of Huntsville, AL, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 27, 2022. Jon was born in Kansas City, Kansas on January 17, 1938, to George Leonard Rogers and Bernice Farmer Rogers.
Jon is survived by his wife, Barbara Rogers; daughter, Laura Tatom (John); son, Todd Rogers (Laura); grandchildren, Rachael Karr, Hannah Karr, Sarah Grace Tatom, Ella Tatom, Samantha Rogers, Abigail Rogers, Whitney Horne, Alex Watson, Brittani Watson, Channing Watson, Nicolette Robare, Elizabeth Failing, and Billy Swiggett; stepchildren, Pamela Miller, Pat Whiteman (Hal), John Downey (Karen Childers), Jack Swiggett (Mary), Michele Swiggett, Jeanene Pihkala (Pertti), and Camille See (Spencer); and great-grandchildren, Kayden, Keelan, and Scott Bailey, Jesup Horne, Oliver Smith, and Juliette Robare.
Jon is preceded in death by his parents, George Leonard Rogers and Bernice Farmer Rogers; son, Jon Rogers, Jr.; and grandchild, Hayden Vann.
Jon lived an extraordinary life with many accomplishments and adventures, but he also had a tremendous appreciation for the little things, especially when it came to family and nature. He was a faithful man and always expressed gratitude for our Heavenly Father. Often, he would reminiscence fondly about his simple start in life roaming the prairie with hard working parents that owned a store. He was an only child, but his cousins were like siblings and often accompanied him in his Tom Sawyer inspired antics like trying to float down the Mississippi River on a homemade raft. Riding horses, playing the saxophone, getting ice cream (lemon) from the creamery, milking cows (or tricking his uncle into preaching so he’d do the milking), and chasing the ice truck for shavings were a few of his favorite childhood memories.
Jon graduated from the University of Kansas in 1960 with degrees in Psychology and Philosophy, received a degree from Emporia State Teachers College, received his Master’s in Psychology from the University of Arkansas, and completed his PHD program in Experimental Psychology at the University of New Mexico in 1967. During these years, he also trekked through Europe. He became a preacher and enjoyed getting to travel to different congregations. In 1962, he began his teaching career as an instructor for the United States Air Force. He then went on to become a faculty member at Arkansas State and then Assistant professor at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas.
While in Arkansas, Jon met his first wife. After their daughter Laura was born, they moved to Huntsville where he proudly took a position at NASA as a research psychologist. He had the honor of helping to prepare the astronauts of Apollo 8 as they made history orbiting around the moon. After NASA, he went on to become a dean at the Huntsville campus of the University of Alabama.
In 1969, they welcomed their son, Todd, and around the same time, he started his private practice as a psychologist and quickly became known as one of the best, even getting referrals from the television personality, Dr. Phil. After several personal experiences with loss, he became very passionate about counseling clients through grief. He lost an infant son, Jon Rogers, Jr. He published several pieces over his career, including Psychology (1968), Formatting & Organization of a Human Engineering (1977), Journal of Experimental Use of Human Engineering Standards in Design (1977), and Proceedings of the Human Factors Society (1977).
As a psychologist, he loved motivating all of those he met and strongly recommended everyone read the book “What Color is Your Parachute?”
As a father, he loved sharing experiences with his children Todd and Laura, especially the outdoors and nature. Some of his favorite activities to share with them were horseback riding (Waunita Hot Springs Ranch), exploring National Parks, and visiting their Frank Lloyd Wright inspired cabin in Silverthorne, Colorado. Family was extremely important to him.
His next big adventure began in 1987 with the birth of his first grandchild, Rachael. He took this new role with pride. Little did he know one day he’d have 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Somehow it was shocking to him that the majority would inherit his stubbornness.
In 1997, he married the love of his life, “Barb” as he lovingly called her. He also gained 7 stepchildren at the same time. It was quite the adjustment, but they stoically took on their roles of Papa and Memaw, hosting the most epic family gatherings. According to several letters he left behind for his family, some of his most cherished memories were gatherings at the Mentone Inn for Christmas. He described the celebration of the birth of Christ as his favorite holiday.
He loved spending time with all the children at their lake house fishing, learning photography, bird watching, and especially teaching them the thrill of being thrifty via Unclaimed Baggage. He believed his children, stepchildren, and grandkids could move mountains with his encouragement and wisdom. His advice, life lessons, and stories were plentiful. There was no bigger cheerleader and life coach to those he loved.
Jon had an unmatchable zest for life. The quest of knowledge, learning new things, and ultimately passing on his wisdom were his biggest motivators. He loved learning about anything to do with Native American history. He was also an avid lover of midcentury modern furniture and architecture. Photography, hiking, reading, writing, preaching, music (especially the saxophone and flute), fishing, sailing, thrifting, devotionals, foraging, skiing, opera, and eating his wife’s cooking were just a few of his many hobbies. He loved traveling, especially to Colorado, New Mexico, and North Carolina. He had more trips planned.
No one worked harder than Jon. “Working keeps you young” was the philosophy that drove him. He loved his work and continued to work up until his last day. Over the years he faced death several times, including a heart attack, acute pancreatitis, and severe infection, but every time he fought hard to make a full recovery. He always insisted on going back to work, even after he was in a coma for several months.
“Papa” was loved by many and touched so many lives. His absence is overwhelming, but his impact and legacy will be felt by many generations.
Visitation will be held in Huntsville on Sunday, October 2nd at 1pm, immediately followed by a service at 2pm at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, 2320 Bob Wallace Ave., Huntsville, AL 35805. After the service, there will be a small graveside service at Fairview Cemetery, 340 Fairview RD, Guntersville, AL.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in memory of Dr. Jon Rogers to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (give.choa.org) or mail to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation, 1575 Northeast Expressway, Atlanta, GA 30329.
