Julian T. Rogers

Julian Thomas Rogers, age 80, of Manassas, GA, born January 15, 1936, died peacefully on the afternoon of March 29, 2016, following a lengthy illness.  He was surrounded by the love of his family at the time of his death and he was in the capable hands of the caring staff of Community Hospice House in Vidalia.

Julian attended school in Tattnall County, graduating from Reidsville High School in 1954, after having been voted by his classmates as the “Most Talented” member of the senior class.  He served as president of Future Farmers of America and he played on the school’s basketball team.

After high school, he graduated from Bolen Draughn Business School and attended Georgia Teacher’s College.  He served his country with honor, achieving the rank of Airman First Class in the United States Air Force.

He married his sweetheart Vera Oliver Rogers of Collins, GA on Thanksgiving Day in 1962 and they enjoyed every year of their loving 53-year marriage.

Julian was talented in many ways.  He was an accomplished piano player and often delighted his family and friends with his Jerry Lee Lewis style of playing.  He managed a farm with his mother, was a salesman and an entrepreneur.  He tackled many endeavors in his 80 years, from eel fishing on the Altamaha River to co-owning and operating with his wife restaurants in Glenville and Collins, Ga.  Ultimately, he retired after many years of honorable service to the state of Georgia as a corrections officer at the Reidsville State Prison.  He was proud to call Georgia his home and he was also proud to live most of his life in the home built by his own father, only walking distance to the Tattnall County Campground.  He leaves a true legacy of faithfulness to his family and of friendship to the many who knew and loved him.

Julian was the only child of Loy and Ora Dowdy Rogers, both of whom preceded him in death.  He is survived by Vera Oliver Rogers, his wife of 53 years; daughter Julie Rogers Mindt of Wichita, KS, her husband Ken and granddaughters Carmen, Anna (deceased) and Grace; son David Rogers, his wife Tara and grandsons Kevin and Bladen, of Manassas, GA; and son Michael Rogers, his wife Tasha, and granddaughters Caroline and Katie, of Knoxville, Tenn.

The life of Julian Thomas Rogers epitomized the lesson and spirit of the instruction found in Micah 6:8: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”  Julian Rogers did justice, honorably serving both his nation and his state and by being a just and loving husband, father, and grandfather.  He loved kindness in all ways, practicing and teaching kindness in equal measure to all of God’s creatures.  And, he walked humbly with his God all the days of his life.

The family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support in this time of loss and they are comforted knowing that their beloved husband, father, and grandfather now suffers no more and knows the peace of heaven.

Arrangements have been made to honor the life and memory of Julian Thomas Rogers on Monday, April 4, 2016, at the Bradley B. Anderson Funeral Home in Reidsville, GA.  The visitation will be at 1pm, with the memorial service at 2pm.  Interment will follow at Bay Branch Cemetery.  Reverend Bill Vansant will preside over the services and the Rogers family is grateful that the following special family members and friends have agreed to honor the family by serving as pallbearers:  Robert Sikes, Roy Rogers, Harold Kemp, Neal Rogers, Tommy Flannigan and Marcus Tootle. Honorary pallbearer will be James F. Rogers.

Those who are inclined to send flowers are welcome to do so.  The family also respectfully suggests that any who wish to make a contribution in honor of the memory of Julian Thomas Rogers please consider support of the Alzheimer’s Association ( www.alz.org ) or the Community Hospice Charity Foundation in Vidalia, GA ( www.vidaliahospice.com ).

Bradley B. Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Rogers family.