Kenneth Wayne Rogers

Kenneth Wayne Rogers
'Kenny'
Mr. Rogers, 55, of Charlotte, NC went home to his Heavenly Father, February 14th, 2011. Kenny was a 6-year survivor of lung cancer since 2004. He contracted a lung bacterium September 2009 while he and Travis were remodeling his sister's home in Texas, which was his last loving gift to her. He fought a brave and very difficult battle to live ever since, but continued to struggle to work until he contracted a terminal fungal infection in his lung which finally took his life.
Kenny was born June 4th, 1955 in Kansas City, MO to Earmal Clinton and Mary Lydia Pearson Rogers whom preceded him in death.
Kenny, at 5 years of age, and his brother Jim at 6 years of age took their little shoe-shine boxes and started their very first business, being the only 'shoe shine boys' allowed in many of the elite hotels of Kansas City! The family later moved to Lemons, MO, then to Green City, MO, where Kenny attended high school.
He graduated from Indian Hills Community College in Centerville, IA after studying one year of building trades and two years of drafting.
Kenny enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country aboard the USS Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam War. Kenny was also proud to be a brother Mason, Shriner, a member of the Elks, VFW, and Angie's list, maintaining an 'A"'rating. Kenny moved all of his family to Charlotte in February of 1996 and immediately established his business of residential repairs and remodeling, a father and son team. So many of his devoted customers became very close friends, and he cherished each one of you dearly.
Kenny married his loving wife, Beverly Jean Long of Centerville, IA, in Green City, MO, December 5th, 1974, and she survives. Kenny is also survived by his daughter Amy Rogers Hayes and her husband Mike and his grandchildren Sean and Kyle; his daughter Kenda Rogers and his grandchildren Jared and Kayla; and his son Travis Rogers, all of Charlotte. Also surviving is his dear bother Jim Rogers and his wife Ann; niece Tonya Rogers Pohl and husband Jon and their children Jessica and Nathan of W. Boylston, MA; nephews Jamie Rogers and wife Cindy and their children Gage and Logan' and Jeremy Rogers, all of Monroe, NC; two sisters, Tina Simmons and Gloria Rogers, both of College Station, TX; many nieces and nephews in TX and MO; his loving mother-in-law Zona A. Long of Centerville, IA, and brother-in-law Phil Long of Michigan City, IN, and bother-in-law John Simmons of College Station, TX.
In addition to his parents, Kenny was preceded in death by his brother, Clinton Rogers; sister, Frances Rogers Murrel; his beloved father-in-law, Gene R. Long of Centerville, IA; sister-in-law, Brenda Rogers Nolan of Blue Springs, MO; and his dear cousin Gary Lee Rogers also of Blue Springs, MO, whom he loved so very much.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Heritage Funeral Home of Indian Trail, NC.
The family will receive friends Friday, February 18, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00. The family asks Kenny's friends to join them for a service following the visitation at 8:00. Kenny will then be cremated, as was his wish. There will be no burial. Kenny's service will be officiated by the Reverend Darren McGrew and Reverend Dr. Lonnie E. Riley.
A very special thank you, with love, is extended to social worker Gacia Smith (Hospice and Palliative care Charlotte Region) as well as to your Chaplain, Harold Hudson (Hospice and Palliative care Charlotte Region) who met with Kenny and learned so much about him in that short time. Upon Harold leaving, Kenny shook his hand and gave him a business card, despite how truly weak and ill he was. Harold was such a blessing and strength to us with his prayers and presence (during Kenny's 10-day hospital stay) through his love for God, and that will never be forgotten Harold.
Thank you is also given to his long-time VA physician Dr. Mehul Shah and his loving nurse, Karen Jones (Charlotte VA outpatient Clinic) as well as Dr. Luis Barroso and his staff at the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center Platinum Clinic in Salisbury, NC. The family is deeply thankful for the tender loving care given to Kenny by the staff on unit 4D, Presbyterian Main Hospital for so many long days and nights prior to his transfer to the Harris Hospice Unit at Presbyterian, where that care was continued.
In this time of great sorrow, it is so very difficult to remember to thank each one of you that has touched our lives in the past year, but please know that you also are in our hearts, and we thank you.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for your continued love for Kenny and prayers for his loving family.