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George A. Rogers

George Rogers Obituary

GEORGE A. ROGERS JAN 24, 1948 - SEPT 1, 2004

His life began just as it ended, in the apple of everyone's eye. appropriately born on the anniversary of golds discovery at Sutter's Mill, George was ceremoniously crowned Stanislaus County's Gold Nugget Baby on January 24, 1948. From that day forward, George embraced life with spirit, passion and pure love.

Throughout his journey, George touched the lives of countless people from all walks of life. He taught at Orville Wright Elementary School for 30 years and was a staple of the airport community. He was co-director for the Friday Night Live, chorus director, outdoor education chaperone, school representative of Airport Neighbors United, director of OWS lunch time sports programs, Junior Chamber Christmas Shopping Program volunteer, Science Olympiad instructor, avid supporter of OWS youth baseball, and co-director of human relations at OWS. George's time and effort at Orville Wright has inspired the recent issue of renaming the beautiful new park behind OWS in his honor.

George was a very active member of the arts and entertainment community. He belonged to many writing groups in his life, most notably The Licensed Fools poetry group, with whom he had a special relationship. His poems exemplify his truly unique way of looking at the world and are well known and cherished by friends and family. Over the years George also made music with many people. From White family jams to Soup family drum circles; George always brought his own special something to the table. Most recently he sang and played flute with the Wooden Nickel Band, who just released their final CD with him. The art community is losing a man who shared his creative soul up until the very end.

First and foremost, George was a proud and dedicated family man who was always just a phone call away, but he was also so much more. He was a teacher, a poet, a musician, and activist, and artist, an athlete, a naturalist and a true friend. He always made time for everyone, treating people equally and with respect. He always had a smile and a song, a laugh and a cry, advise and understanding. He gave us all so much of himself. His grandchildren will grow to know the man that lives in all our hearts, a special kind of person that only comes around once in a lifetime. George Rogers will be painfully missed, but he will always be an inspiration to us all.

Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church of Modesto on the corner of 16th and I Street across from the Stanisluas County Library, on Friday Sept. 10, at 3:30PM. A celebration of George's life will immediately follow at The Fruit Yard at 2948 Yosemite Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, remembrances (donations) can be made to The Stanislaus Community Foundation for the George A. Rogers Park Fund and mailed to 1130 L. Street, Suite B Modesto, CA. 95354. Funds will be used to underwrite park improvement and scholarships for Orville Wright children.

www.modbee.com/obituaries

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Published by Modesto Bee on Sep. 8, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for George Rogers

Sponsored by anonymous.

14 Entries

Alyssa Minaker (Welch)

May 21, 2017

I had Mr. Rogers as a 6th grade teacher at Orville Wright Elementary in 2002. He was my favorite teacher. Living in airport, I came from a rougher family background, so his belief in me was very influential in my journey. I won a district award that year for initiative because of his recommendation. I still have the plaque. I participated in his lunch sports and even had my football team win, won student of the month, had poetry published in a district volume, and even landed in the newspaper with the superintendent. It was a life changing year for me, and Mr. Rogers was the reason for it. During my 6th grade year, I developed dreams of college and ambition for working hard in school and at life. Right after I completed the 6th grade, my family abruptly moved to Arizona and I never said goodbye and thanked him. He went too soon.

Now, I'm a teacher myself. I teach high school English, and I credit his investment into my life as a key component to why I am where I am today. I hope one day in heaven I can thank him for changing my life for the better. I'll never forget you, Mr. Rogers. You changed my life. Thank you.

Karen (Ramsay) LaBelle

February 25, 2006

I had the pleasure of having Mr. Rogers for a teacher on two occasions. The first time was in fourth grade back in 1970 when he was teaching in Delhi. I was surprised to have a male teacher, but he turned out to be one of the best teachers I ever had. I had no idea at the time that he was only 22 years old. He handled the classroom like an experienced teacher. I later had him as a math teacher in the eighth grade.

Barbara Montague-Barnes

December 30, 2004

I knew George when he was young and dateing my best friend Terria. They lived next door to me after they got married for a short while. George would play his music loud and my first husband and I would pretend that it was to loud for us and bang on the walls. We all enjoyed the music and dinners together. They were poor mans dinners back then. Terria and I each had boys six months apart and they played together. I miss both Terria and George so much that it hurts! THANKS GUYS FOR THE MEMORIES!I am blessed by knowing you both. I just could't talk about George with out talking about Terria.

Mallory Blanco

November 17, 2004

thought i would finally write something. i am extremly glad that george was around, he was hilarious, creative, smart and always lightened up a dull moment. i am glad the time we all got to share with him is remembered. and i am very confident that he touched the lives of his 3 beautiful grandchildren, that is what will keep his memory alive. all my love to david, winnie and the rest of the rogers/orona's.

Geri Leon

September 20, 2004

Wanted to express my sympaties to David and all of the Family. I met George through Terria, my best friend. All my memories are of a very special person who evolved into a wonderfun, wonderful man and a great example of what to become. I send thoughts of healing and lightness on this new journey to all that loved him. I know he will be missed. Take care one and all.

Randy & Cheryl DeCicco

September 11, 2004

We just found out last night of George's passing. Though it was expected, we are very sorry to hear of his passing and our condolences go out to his family.

George was a very funny, witty, lively man! You could talk with this man for hours, and never get bored.

Those who's lives he touched, be it as a friend or a teacher were truly blessed.

He will be greatly missed.

We need more "George's" in this world!

Rest in peace George, and we will see you on the other side.

Marianne Lowe

September 11, 2004

I didn't know George as a teacher, a musician or a poet. I knew him as a grandparent and like everything else he apparantly did, he did it spectacularly. He worried he wouldn't be remembered and I ask how he could be forgotten. All you had to do was look at the faces of his grandchildren when Grandpa George was mentioned. The rest of us won't let them forget. He will live on in their musical talent, their love of reading, and of course, baseball, watching, playing, cheering.

George was many things to many people but as a co-grandparent he was outstanding.

Janet Zakarian-Venturini

September 9, 2004

I first got to know George when I was a 10 year old student at Orville Wright. Lucky for me I became reaquainted with him when I started teaching at my alma mater some 19 years later. I am now 40 years old and having known George my life is truly blessed. Winnie the Pooh said it best when his friend Christopher Robin was heading off to school..."I'll never not remember you."

Ernest Neeley

September 9, 2004

It has been my privilege to get to know George as a colleague and friend these past 8 years. I enjoyed working with him in the teachers' writing group and my wife and I enjoyed going to see his band play on several occasions. I'll sorely miss his sense of humor. George was truly an all around talented, caring, and likable guy.

Suzanne Abid

September 9, 2004

I had the pleasure to work with George in the Orville Wright Chorus. He was the director, I the accompianist. He couldn't read music but his natural talent and ear for a good tune helped him choose music the students loved to sing. I loved his take on things at school. My favorite was going with the students to the MADD night at the church. We would sing "I Will Always Love You! I miss him.

Janie Terry

September 8, 2004

George and I taught together at Orville Wright School for 30 years. He was an inspiration to all of us there. Words cannot express how much he will be missed.

Kathleen Turley

September 8, 2004

To the greatest teacher I have ever tutored under. He inspired me to reach a little further in life.

Linda Turley

September 8, 2004

In loving remembrance of a man who made a difference in my children's lives, and will be well remembered always.

Bob and Connie Goff

September 8, 2004

As God receives George in his heavenly embrace, may his grace and comfort be felt by those who loved and miss him.

A 'teacher' in the truest sense, George leaves this world after having directly contributed to making it a better place then when he entered it.

It was an honor and privilidge to have known George Rogers.

May God bless those he leaves behind.

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