Leaving behind a greatly saddened family, Ronald Wayne Rogers died in his home in Richmond, Texas on January 18, 2024, two days after his 69th birthday.

Ron was born in Tyler, Texas to Dexta and Glenda Kathleen "Kathy" Grantham Rogers on January 16, 1955. Their small family of five, including Ron's two sisters Patti and Becky, moved several times due to his father's work in the oil business. They landed in Cushing, Oklahoma in time for Ron to play in the band and graduate from Cushing High School in 1973. That summer, the family moved to Larose on Bayou Lafourche in South Louisiana and Ron started college at Nichols State. He soon transferred to Louisiana State University where he earned a BS in Electrical Engineering. Moving to New Orleans, he started his career as a Communications Engineer working for Gulf Oil. In 1983, he married the love of his life and soulmate, Claire Gutekunst. They immediately moved to Houston where Ron continued his education, finishing at University of Houston-Clear Lake the MBA he started working on at Tulane. Ron earned his Professional Engineer Certification in both Louisiana and Texas. In 1987, they started building their home and their family in Richmond, Texas. And that is just the bare bones of a very full and interesting life.

Raised in the Baptist faith, Ron gave his heart to Jesus in the third grade. He continued to grow in his faith through Sunday School, youth groups, and college BSU. He and Claire joined First Baptist Church of Rosenberg when they moved to Fort Bend County and he became an ordained deacon there in 2001.

Ron enjoyed his professional career and the experiences it afforded him. He developed many friendships while working for Gulf, Chevron, McDermott, KBR, Lockard & White, and several small consulting firms. He hiked a section of the Appalachian Trail, skied in the Italian/Swiss Alps, snorkeled in the Red Sea, attended many a Gregorian Chant and organ recital in Milan cathedrals, visited the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, and enjoyed the hunt in flea markets wherever he went.

Ron's personal pursuits were also of an eclectic nature. He was certified as a scuba diver, ham radio operator (N5CLB), and Master Gardener, but after several bee-trayals, only considered himself a bee landlord and not a beekeeper. He volunteered in community gardens and natural prairies, at the local history museum, and for many a festival and swap meet. His family and friends knew him best as a master trickster, a shell and fossil collector, a wedding stool builder, a toe pincher, a sailor, and an all-around wonderful human being. You could never trust a gift from Wonderful Uncle Ron (neither its packaging nor its origins) but all his gifts came from the heart. His love for native plants bloomed in the last few years, as he made it his mission to germinate as many native milkweeds as he possibly could. A consummate collector of highway castoffs, he had a keen eye for Craftsman tools, though his largest prize was the hot tub that his family enjoyed for many years.

Ron is survived by Claire Rogers, his wife of forty years. His son Joseph Rogers, along with wife Bethany and their very spirited children, Audrey and Colin, live in Fredericksburg, Virginia. His daughter Allison Rogers Harrell and her husband Preston live in Richmond, Texas. He also leaves behind his mother Kathy Rogers of Tyler, Texas, his sister Patti and her husband David Johnson of Granbury, Texas, his brother-in-law Mark Burt of Tyler, and an untold number of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, second cousins, and people who have been around so long we just consider them family. Ron was preceded in death by his father, Dexta Rogers, and his younger sister, Rebecca Rogers Burt. Ron encouraged the younger relatives to call him "Wonderful Uncle Ron" and his granddaughter lovingly refers to him as "Derful" but she knows it means Won-Derful Grandpa.

A wonderful man and a good friend to many, Ron's loss will be felt for years to come and the stories about his antics will be laughed over for generations.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration in honor of Ron Rogers on Friday, January 26, at First Baptist Church, 1117 First Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471. The visitation will start at 1pm, followed by the service at 2pm. Burial will follow at Morton Cemetery in Richmond.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you volunteer your time and talents in your community to honor Ron's memory.

Condolence messages may be written for the Rogers family at www.garmanycarden.com

Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 4th Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281)342-4671.