Gene Rodgers

Gene Rodgers, 83, of Abilene, died, Monday, October 31, 2011 at a local nursing center. The son of Sue Ann (Ott) and Harry Harrison Rodgers, Gene was born on April 29, 1928 in Coleman County, Texas. In 1959, Gene moved from Spur, Texas to Anson, Texas. He was a longtime building contractor in the Big County area. He opened the first automatic laundry and Anson Roller Skating Rink in Anson in 1959. Gene was Mayor of Anson 1986-88, and was honored by the Anson Chamber of Commerce as the Chamber's Man of the Year in 1987. He was active in various other civic groups and was associated with the Opera House Committee, Terry F. Spraberry Justice Center Foundation, and Anson-Jones Museum. He was chairman of the Benevolence Committee of the Anson Church of Christ of which he was an elder. After the death of his first wife, Maxine Smith Rodgers on April 5, 1992, Gene married Betty Jo Story on February 6, 1993 in Abilene, moving to Abilene in 1993 from Anson. In Abilene Gene and Jo became members of Baker Heights Church of Christ, where he serves as a deacon. A generous supporter of Hendrick Medical Center, Gene furnished a room in the Hospice Wing in honor of his first wife, and in 1996 served on the Finance Board of the medical center. He served with his wife, Jo, on the Hendrick Hospice board beginning in 1993. They were sponsors of the Diamondback Golf Tournament benefiting Hendrick Hospice and supporters of the Hendrick League House. Gene was also an avid supporter and volunteer of the West Texas Rehabilitation Center through their fundraising dinners and auctions. They were involved in various activities including the Wylie Pep Club, Gene having served four years as Chaplain. They were active in the R.S.V.P. at Abilene Senior Citizens, and he was a member of Wylie Lions Club and a 49-year member of Lion's Club. They were also supporters of the ACT Theater and ACU Theater. Gene loved deer hunting and playing dominoes. Gene was above all a Christian husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He was always supportive of activities of his children and their interests. Gene was also preceded in death by a daughter, Brenda Jean Rodgers Gaines; grandsons, Greg Gaines and Justin Scott; granddaughter, Diedra "Dee Dee" Gaines Parker; sisters, Katherine Jenkins and Audrey Coleman; and brothers, Dalton Rodgers and Troy Rodgers. Survivors include his wife, Betty Jo Rodgers of Abilene; son-in-law George Gaines and wife Mary Sue; daughters, Pamela Hamil and husband Ed of Austin, and Melinda Scott and husband Randy of Hawley; brother, R. V. Rodgers and wife Maedelle of Gouldbusk, Texas; four grandchildren and spouses, Jenifer Hamil-Luker and Kenneth, Matt Hamil and Emili, Jeremy Scott and Kacey, and Jared Scott; ten great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 4, at Baker Heights Church of Christ, 5382 Texas Avenue in Abilene, with Steve Smith officiating. Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Anson directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Mike Story, Jeremy Scott, Jared Scott, Mark Gaines, Chad Parker, Toby Taylor and Danny Jones. Memorial contributions in Gene's honor may be made to the donor's favorite charity.