Rufus B. Rogers

1938 - 2026

Rufus B. Rogers

September 16, 1938 - March 20, 2026

Pomaria, South Carolina - Longtime Pomaria resident and former Director of Building Grounds for Newberry County Schools, Rufus B. Rogers, has peacefully gone home to the Lord. He fought the good fight for so many years. From eight back surgeries to multiple health issues, four trips to rehab, and about a half dozen trips to the ER, along the way, he made it through them all.

Rufus was born on September 16, 1938, in Mullins, SC, to Archie and Merle Rogers. He grew up with his two older brothers, Archie and Charles, who have both gone home to the Lord, and with Ann, his beloved sister, who survives him. He learned the value of hard work by helping care for the family tobacco farm and was an accomplished high school athlete, leading the Mullins High School varsity football team to a state championship as quarterback his senior year. He was the first member of his family to attend college, graduating from Clemson with a Bachelor of Science, after which he entered the US Army and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Rufus was a dedicated soldier and loved soldiers, becoming an Airborne Ranger while earning the Combat Infantryman Badge in his second tour in Vietnam, and the Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Star and two Bronze Stars. His unit received the Vietnam Gallantry with Palm and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star from the government of South Vietnam, in recognition of heroic service in combat. Rufus met Judy Rogers on his first tour in Friedburg, Germany, with whom he would later share his two beloved children, Roseann and Joe, whom he and Judy loved and raised, instilling in them the importance of faith, hard work, and education. Rufus reached the pinnacle of his military service as Commanding Officer of the 2nd of the 6th Field Artillery Battalion – receiving the Canadian Gunner's Trophy all three years of his command in Return-Forces-Germany (REFORGER) – and later returning as Division Artillery (DIVARTY) Commander for the 3rd Armored Division and Deputy Community Commander, all in Hanau, Germany. His 30-year military career was marked by a spirit of dedicated service, generous sacrifice, and heroic care for the troops and their families under his command, while establishing relationships of great esteem and mutual trust with both military leaders and civilian communities in Vietnam and Germany, where he served.

Rufus earned his Master's in Recreational Rehabilitation at the University of South Alabama, where he met Coach Eddy Stanky and would discover his great past time of officiating college sports, especially baseball, which he would continue throughout his military career, officiating at the college and high school levels, and even being invited to consider a career in Major League Baseball as an umpire. As big an honor as that was, Rufus decided to remain a soldier.

In 1991, Rufus moved to Newberry, where he would build a beautiful life, embracing the local community and serving on the Hospital Board, the Opera House Committee, and the Newberry Country Club renovation committee. Among his proudest accomplishments while serving as Director of Buildings and Grounds was his summer employment program for high school students, which he designated as his "designer grey painters." Rufus had a knack for empowering young people and teaching them that they could lead and take on any challenge with an open mind, determination, and cooperation. He would often speak of Dr. James Loggins and Parks Coggins among his many distinguished "graduates."

In the last weeks, Rufus held on with absolute determination until his son, Father Joseph Mary Rogers, SCTJM, could finish his doctoral dissertation defense in Rome, Italy, and for his grandson, Nikhil Everett Shah, to pass his private pilot's instrument rating. After sharing a beautiful visit with his daughter and, later, with his grandson, it was time; he had "fought the good fight," was tired, and needed to rest. He took his last breath at exactly 5 pm on March 20th, right on time for taps. As our family lived on military posts for many years, every day at 5 p.m., you'd hear the bugle play, stop what you're doing wherever you were, and stand at attention for the American flag to come down from the flagpole. It was always a sacred moment in the day.

On Friday, as the flag came down, Rufus went up to the Lord. In the end, he passed away having received the Sacraments, and waiting until his daughter Roseann Rogers, son Joseph Mary Rogers, grandson Nikhil Everett Shah, and son-in-law, Aashish Shah, were at his side, expressed their love, and thanked him for the extraordinary life he had lived and given them, passing gently and peacefully to everlasting life. Dad's final hours were marked by his trust in the mercy of Christ, his love for his family, and his tender affection for Our Lady of Lourdes and Mother Adela, Sister Ana, and the Sisters and Brothers of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Above all, our hearts are filled with gratitude to God, and we thank all those who have loved, cared for, and prayed for Dad. We would especially like to thank longtime friend Eddie Elkins, neighbors Lisa and John Shell, and Frank and Ae Ja Netzel for always being there for Rufus, his goats, and his beloved donkey, Sally. We are also sincerely grateful to Dr. Michael Bernado, case worker Wendy Snelgrove, nurse Tayna Avia, and the entire White Oak Manor staff and therapy team, including therapist JaMarcus Worthy, who spent many years with him and oversaw his care. May perpetual light shine upon you, Dad, and through the mercy of God, may you rest in peace. We love you.

A Catholic Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 AM, Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at St. Mark's Catholic Church, Newberry. A remembrance reception will follow at 11:00 AM, at Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry, SC.

Interment with military honors will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, April 29, at Ft. Jackson National Cemetery. Following the interment, guests are invited to a reception at Rufus's family farm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Boys Farm, Newberry Opera House, and The Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to serve the Rogers family.