Finis Eugene "Gene" Rogers

Finis Eugene "Gene"  Rogers passed away on the 15th day of March 2015 at the age of 92. He was born on Oct. 1, 1922 in Earle, Ark. to Mary Barham Rogers (1902-1988) and Lucian C. Rogers (1897-1971). Gene's interest in all things mechanical began at an early age, and he was working at his uncle's Chevy dealership by age 14. At age 17, he attended the Chevrolet Truck Sales School in Memphis. He was President of Earle High School's Graduating Class of 1940. It was in the summer before his senior year that he met the love of his life and future wife, Julia Rose Rogers ("Judy"). Gene attended Hendrix College in Conway from 1940-1942 and graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. in May 1944 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy where he served two years until his honorable discharge in 1946. Gene and Judy were married on Aug. 25, 1945 in San Antonio, Texas and spent the first year of marriage in Corpus Christi, Texas. They moved to Memphis in 1946, where they made their permanent home and lived the rest of their lives. Gene was employed at Fruehauf Trailer Corporation from 1946 until his retirement in 1981 as draftsman, chief engineer, and later plant manager of the Memphis factory. He was always well respected by his colleagues. After retirement, he enjoyed tending to his farming interests in Crittenden County, Ark. as well as his various business interests. Gene enjoyed golfing and was a long standing member of Chickasaw Country Club. He "finally" won the Fruehauf Golf League after many years of trying, and he had a hole-in-one to his credit. Gene leaves behind a son, Henry Barham Rogers (Julie Travis); two grandchildren, Charles Matthew and Ellen Bell Rogers; and his beloved nieces and nephews: Margaret Townsend Rifenbark, Judy Cato Haddad, Ellen Cato, Linda Cato Humphries, John Richard Townsend, Jr., and Robert Henry Wilson. Gene was an honorable and upstanding citizen, a great husband, son, uncle and friend, and the best father one could have asked for. He was a true gentleman and will be greatly missed by all those that know and loved him. May he rest in peace. The family will receive friends Monday, March 23 from 11 a.m. until service time at 1 p.m.; funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m., all at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tenn. Interment will follow in Crittenden Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Mr. Rogers may be offered to the American Arthritis Association. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.memphisfuneralhome.net. Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave., (901)725-0100