James (Jim) Karr Rogers

James (Jim) Karr Rogers passed away peacefully Friday, September 12, 2025, surrounded by his loving and devoted daughters, Debbie, Susan, and Kim.

Jim was born October 29, 1929, in Taylorsville, NC, the son of D. Roy Rogers and Gussie Chapman Rogers, and he took great pride in his Carolina roots, an upbringing characterized by strong faith, hard work, and deep family values.

After graduating from high school at the age of 15, Jim proudly enlisted in the Army Air Corp (US Air Force) in 1946 and enjoyed a 20+ year career, achieving the rank of senior master sergeant. His career began in Savannah (where he met the love of his life, Joyce) and included duty at bases in Biloxi, MS, Grand Forks, ND as part of the strategic air command, Riverside, CA, and Andrews Air Force Base where he served on Air Force One as crew chief to President Lyndon B. Johnson. His career spanned the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict. He was a true patriot.

Jim retired to Knoxville in 1968 with Joyce where he began a second career in management with North Brothers (National Service Industries) before retiring in 1994. Jim’s career at North Brothers included extensive involvement with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and various TVA power plants in Tennessee and Alabama.

As an avid reader, Jim’s bookshelves bristled with a broad range of titles from history to science, biographies to all things aviation. Jim was a walking encyclopedia, the result of a strong sense of curiosity and adventure.

Learning at an early age to design and build various structures, Jim built homes, barns, and boats. His biggest feat entailed a total rebuild of a wooden 35’ Owen Cruiser which he enjoyed skippering for many years on the Tennessee River. He loved the beautiful lakes of East Tennessee with Norris Lake as his favorite fishing spot, and he always considered his adopted hometown of Knoxville as one of the most beautiful spots in America, often saying “why would I live anywhere else.”

If you met Jim, you learned quickly about his passion for living, his love of family and his value of friendship. He was a doting grandfather and loving great grandfather. He wore those titles proudly.

His mantra that he shared frequently was “every day is a good day, some days are better than others.” His positivity was contagious and inspiring.

Jim is preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Joyce Anderson Rogers, parents D. Roy Rogers and Gussie Chapman Rogers, and siblings Margaret Rogers Robinette, Rose Rogers Bolick, Wayne Rogers, Luke Rogers, and Roy C. Rogers.

Jim is survived by his three daughters Debra Rogers Woolard (Mark) of Marietta, GA, Susan Rogers Scarlett (Robert) of New Market, TN, Kimberly Rogers Bell (Alan) of Waynesboro, TN, and seven grandchildren including Meredith Woolard Castelan (Francisco), Sarah Woolard Laniel (Roland), Evan Woolard (Megan), A.J. Bell (Ansley), Samantha Bell, Justin Scarlett and JoBeth Scarlett Wiberley (Ryan), and six great grandchildren, Laura, Emma, William, Dotty, Addie and Amelia. He is also survived by sisters Katherine Rogers Fox and Joann Rogers Kerley.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City, with the service to follow at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Dennis Loy officiating. Graveside military honors and interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery in Knoxville following the funeral service.

Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City, TN