Dwight Laing Rogers Jr.

Rogers, Dwight Laing, Jr., senior partner in Broward County's oldest law firm, Rogers, Morris, and Ziegler LLP, died at home Wednesday, October 3, 2007. Born in Ocilla, Georgia in 1917, Rogers moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1925 when his father, Dwight L. Rogers, Sr. founded the law firm with John E. Morris, Sr. A diligent attorney, Rogers retired from active practice less than one year ago. As featured speaker at the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society Friendship Luncheon in 1997, he spoke about his legal career including his notable term as Assistant State Attorney. In 1991, he was recognized as a Broward pioneer by the Broward County Historical Commission. The Florida Bar also honored him in 1991 for his fifty years of service to the legal profession in Florida. Rogers served for six decades as the sole trustee for the McCrary Trust, which was a college scholarship fund that benefited hundreds of Fort Lauderdale High School graduates. He served as the Navy League Judge Advocate from 1966-67. From 1974 -1988, Rogers was a Director of Sun Trust, Inc. and Chairperson of Sun Banks in Broward. He was formerly a founding Director and Chairman of the Wilton Manors National Bank, Lauderdale Beach Bank, Peoples Bank of Tamarac and Central Bank of Fort Lauderdale. During his tenure as President of Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, from 1956-58, N.E. Yellowbird Airlines brought the first domestic commercial flights to the city and Bendex Corporation opened their plant. The Florida Chamber of Commerce named Rogers as a Director Emeritus after serving many years on the Board of Directors. Rogers was involved with Nova University as a founding Director and Gold Key member. He also served on the Board of Governors of Nova Law School. From 1947-1951, Rogers served as assistant State Attorney, 15th Judicial Circuit, during which time he was responsible for shutting down the infamous illegal gambling casino, The Colonial Inn and breaking the back of the county gambling industry. Thirty eight years later, he said, "I am unalterably opposed," when Amendment 2 concerning legalized gambling was on the ballot. As a Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy, in World War II, he served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres on the USS George W. Ingram and USS Meriwether. After the war, he returned to Fort Lauderdale to practice law. That year, while visiting his father in Washington, D.C., he met Virginia B. Campbell on the Capitol steps. They were married in June, 1946 and celebrated their sixty-first anniversary this year. Rogers received his A.B, L.L.B. and J.D. degrees from the University of Florida. While in Gainesville, he was President of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta and a member of Florida Blue Key. In the summer of 1939, he traveled to the New York World's Fair to work in the Florida exhibition serving orange sherbet. A graduate of Central High School (now Fort Lauderdale HS) he was President of the class of 1934. In 1932, while his father served in the Florida State House of Representatives, he served as a page for $4.00 per day. Beginning with the September,1928, storm, he has weathered every hurricane to hit South Florida. An active member of First United Methodist Church, Rogers served in many capacities including the Financial and Administrative Boards. Church members remember him as an affable and unpretentious gentleman. He was also a member of the Kiwanis, enjoyed tennis at Lauderdale Yacht Club, and golf at the Country Club of Fort Lauderdale. He is survived by his loving wife, Virginia; two brothers, Paul G. Rogers (former Congressman who served his Florida district for 26 years) of Washington, D.C., and Doyle Rogers of Palm Beach, FL; five children: Dwight L. Rogers, III of Carrboro, NC; Virginia R. McCormick of Fairfield, CT; Romney C. Rogers of Fort Lauderdale, FL; Florence Rogers of Moreland, GA and Eleanor R. Welch of Fort Lauderdale, FL; nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Visitation is 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 12, 2007, at the funeral home. The Memorial Service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 101 SE 3rd Ave. in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions given in memory of Dwight L. Rogers, Jr., be directed to First United Methodist Church, 101 S.E. 3rd Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301 or to Hospice Care of S.E. Florida, 309 S.E. 18th St. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316. Online condolences may be shared at www.fredhunters.com. Fred Hunter Memorial Services 718 South Federal Highway Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 954-527-1550