John C. Rogers

John C. Rogers, 94, passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2020 surrounded by family. He was a faithful and loving husband of 70 years to Marcelle Edge Rogers. He is a Clemson University alumnus, Class of 1949, and member of First Baptist Church, Clemson.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by one son, John Robert "Bobby" Rogers and wife Laurie of Fort Mill, SC; two daughters, Marilyn Margaret Rogers Whipp and husband Dean of Denver, NC and Jan Marie Rogers Johnson and husband David of Fort Mill, SC; two brothers, David Rogers and wife Betty of Lexington, SC; Melvin Rogers and wife Emilie of Myrtle Beach, SC; two sisters, Doris Rogers Thorne of Burlington, NC and Nellie Rogers Armstrong of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Emily Marie Pope, Carly Johnson Fenimore and husband Mark, Sarah Johnson Bonner and husband Chad, John Chalmers Rogers, Benjamin David Rogers and wife Anna Marie, Becky Whipp Toliver and husband Devin; great grandchildren, Savannah Grace Blackman, John Brooks Fenimore, Cannon Anthony Toliver, and Cora Mary Jane Toliver.
John is the son of the late John Benjamin and Olive Boiter Rogers. In addition to his parents he is predeceased by one brother, Hilton Rogers and one sister, Edna Rogers Scruggs.

In 1935 John visited Clemson A & M College for the first time on a field trip to learn about new farming techniques. Then in 1942, at the age of 17, John entered Clemson A & M College as a cadet. He felt called to serve his country and enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in 1943. John served three years during World War II and received his wings after flying solo. It gave him immense joy to fly, be around planes, and talk about his time in the skies. After his time in the service, he returned to Clemson and graduated in 1949 with a degree in Civil Engineering, being the first child of seven to have a 4-year degree. He was a proud alumni who built a legacy and love of Clemson that has inspired many generations including 2 children and 4 grandchildren who also hold degrees from the university.

John worked for Duke Energy for 35 years. During his time at Duke, he was the Project Manager of Construction for three nuclear power stations, Oconee, McGuire and Catawba. Despite his demanding career, John always made time for family. He attended his children's games and recitals, and took the family on yearly vacations to Florida, Hunting Island and other natural areas. His love of the outdoors was also apparent as he enjoyed hiking the Appalachian Trail with friends. After retirement, John was able to spend more time with his family, and especially enjoyed holiday gatherings and celebrations. He delighted in being with his grandchildren and taking them places like the South Carolina Botanical Gardens and Clemson events. He doted on his grandchildren and great grandchildren and always enjoyed their visits. Travel was also a passion and together he and his wife visited all 50 states and many countries. They went down to Chokoloskee Island, FL for many years where he enjoyed fishing with his friends at Florida's Ten Thousand Islands in the western Everglades.

John and Marcelle loved attending Clemson football, baseball and basketball games and were long-time IPTAY supporters. He enjoyed playing golf with his friends and was a charter member of the Clemson University Walker Course. John also looked forward to going to weekly breakfast meetings of ROMEOs at Dyar's Diner. Other passions included bird watching, tending to his lush yard and flowers, poetry and reading. As part of his legacy, together with his wife, Marcelle, John donated a bench in the Cadet Life Garden at the South Carolina Botanical Gardens in memory of his parents who had four children and seven grandchildren that were Clemson graduates at the time of the bench's installation.

He was a faithful servant to Christ, serving as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church-Mount Holly while living there, and for the last 52 years has been a devoted member of First Baptist Church Clemson.

Funeral services for Air Force Veteran John C. Rogers will be 2 PM, Thursday, February 27, 2020 at Duckett Robinson Funeral Home Chapel, Central SC. Family will receive friends prior to service from 1 PM - 2 PM. Following the service, military honors will be conducted for Mr. Rogers at his final resting place, Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Clemson.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Duckett-Robinson Funeral Homes & Cremations, Central-Clemson Commons.