Jesse "Sonny" Rogers

Jesse "Sonny" Rogers, age 73 of Clarendon, died Monday, May 12, 2014 after a long and courageous battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Born August 31, 1940 in Clarendon, Ark., he was the son of the late Nathan and Irene Rogers. Also known by many as "Whitey", Jesse was a longtime resident of Clarendon, where he was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He worked 30 years for Potlatch Corp., co-owned R&R Lumber Company for 9 years, and then worked 10 years for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Prior to his declining health, Jesse enjoyed officiating high school football, basketball, and baseball sporting events across Arkansas. He also enjoyed following and cheering his beloved Razorbacks. He leaves behind his loving wife of 55 years, Carolyn Rogers; three sons, Lynn Rogers, Mark (Laura) Rogers, and Jeff Rogers; brother Jimmy (Jackie) Rogers, grandchildren, Kenny (Chasity) Rogers and Kristen Rogers, one great-granddaughter, Alexie Norris; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a special gratitude to Dr. Brad Baltz and his staff for providing outstanding care and friendship for the past seven years. The family would also like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Baptist Health Medical Center in Stuttgart for providing compassionate care to our dad. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, May 14 at Bob Neal & Sons Funeral Home in Clarendon, Ark. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 15 at the First United Methodist Church, Clarendon, with Rev. Nan Nelson officiating. Burial will follow in Shady Grove Cemetery in Clarendon. Serving as pallbearers will be sons, Lynn, Mark, Jeff Rogers, great grandson, Kenny Rogers, brother, Jim Rogers and lifelong friend, Paul Hayes.