Eddie Paul "Bubba" Rogers

1949 - 2023

Bubba Rogers had the biggest heart, but unfortunately it took its last beat on September 18, 2023. He was full of life, love, knowledge, and Bubbaisms. He never met a stranger and always had words of wisdom.

Eddie Paul Rogers was born June 6, 1949 to Paul and Lucille Rogers in Sweetwater, Texas. At an early age, Paul moved his family to Nolanville, Texas to start Rogers Service Station. At that time Eddie was named Bubba, by his older sister Pauline(Swindoll). As a small boy, Bubba learned to work on vehicles with his dad. He could pop a tire off and onto a rim in a matter of seconds. He graduated from Belton High in 1967, attended college at CTC and then apprenticeship training Waco JATC.

Bubba's motto was "work hard, and play harder". He could be found at Stillhouse Hollow Lake with his jet boat. He taught many people to waterski. He loved to brag that he carried 9 skiers behind his jet boat. At the lake, Union Grove, he met the love of his life Debbie Hallmark. She fell madly in love with his beautiful blue eyes, jet boat and his patience with people. The two were married at midnight on New Years Eve December 31, 1975 in San Angelo, Texas. They bought a house on Monterrey St. in Hewitt, Texas. This is the street where they "learned to grow up" with wonderful, lifelong neighbor friends.

Eddie was a hard worker. He always said you "have to be 3% smarter than what you are working with." In 1970, he ventured out to being a tradesman. He started his membership with the Local Union Pipefitters and Plumbers 529 of Waco. He worked and traveled to many job sites all over Texas. He welded on high rise frames, pipes at M&M mars, many hospitals, water treatment plants and so much more. He served several years as president of Local 529 Waco and traveled to many United Association Conventions proudly representing his local. Bubba became the Business Manager for Local 529 in 2001, a job he enjoyed. He retired in 2012 but he will always be a lifelong member of UA Local 529 Pipefitters and Plumbers Waco, Tx.

Bubba took pride in working for his family. In his words he "worked hard so his wife and children could have nice things." He and Debbie had two girls, Amber Deanne and Elissa Brook. They all lived in Hewitt until 1988. The Rogers moved to Bruceville-Eddy where Bubba raised cows and his girls. He was an amazing little league softball coach where he led several teams to the all-stars. He loved his "girls" and made them memorize the little league pledge. Many of those now women have great memories of the "Scott and White Minis". In 1989, Bubba gained a bonus daughter, Tracy Klusacek. She was a friend to Amber. In 1999, Tracy lost her own dad to a heart attack. Bubba quickly became a help for Tracy and called her his "kind of like step daughter." In 1999, Bubba walked his eldest daughter Amber down the aisle to marry Jason Dean and finally received a son. Bubba was renamed to Poppy after the birth of his grandson. His 5 grandchildren were his pride and joy. Blake Rogers, Marissa Richardson, Lily Dean, Pearson Dean, and Anna Dean brought out the tenderness in him. He taught them many things over the years, supported them in sports and activities. They are blessed to carry on his legacy and love of pocket knives.

Bubba was a collector of "possibles" whether that be trucks, cows, fishing rods or thousands of pieces of metal. But he also saw potential in people. He trained and taught "life" every way he knew how. He helped through hard work and redneck ingenuity to keep the lights on and building standing upright in the early days of The Well of Moody where he and Debbie attended for years and later were the most faithful online attendees.

When told "nice to see you", Bubba always responded with, "better to be seen and not viewed." Instead of a funeral he chose to have a celebration of his life. The celebration will be on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at The Well Church, 520 Ave D Moody, Texas. Family and friends are invited to gather at 12:30pm for a meal. The service honoring Bubba will begin at 2:00 pm. There will be a dessert gathering after the service for visiting and reminiscing.

Debbie, his faithful wife of 48 years, wishes to thank everyone for their prayers, words of encouragement and kindness.