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Vernon Rogers
Vernon Joseph Rogers, Sr. passed away on Dec. 8, 2004, at the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles. He was 81 years old.
Vern's parents, Jarret Rogers and Adda Belle (Anderson) Rogers were married in Heppner, Ore., on Dec. 3, 1904. Their oldest child, Frank Edward, was born in 1906 in Condon, Ore., before the family moved to the Hood River, Ore., area in 1913. Vern's two sisters were born in Hood River; Rita Margaret in 1915 and Zella Mae in 1917. Vernon Joseph was the youngest, and was also born in Hood River, on Sept. 27, 1923.
Vernon grew up in the Hood River, Odell and Dee area, and attended school in Hood River. He went into the Army Air Corps in November 1942, two months after his brother Frank joined. As a Top Turret Gunner in a heavy bombardment crew, Technical Sergeant Rogers participated in 33 operational missions over enemy-occupied Europe while with his unit, the 8th Air Force, 95th Bombardment group, 336th Sq. He was awarded the Air Medal, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Oak Leaf Cluster, and was recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross. According to his mother's journal, there was a particularly difficult few days for the family and community when they were erroneously notified that Vern was "missing in action." He was honorably discharged in September 1945.
Returning to the Hood River area, Vernon met Betty Lou Bostwick, and they were married in February 1947, at the Riverside Community Church.
They initially lived in the Hood River and Dee area, later moving to Portland, and several years later moving to the Eagle Creek, Ore., area. They had four children: Vernon Joseph, Jr., Craig Jarret, David Lyle, and Joan Marie. Vern and Betty were married over 20 years, but were divorced in 1967.
Hardworking and industrious, throughout the years Vern held a variety of occupations - if need be, working two or three jobs simultaneously to make ends meet. Occupations included working at the lumber mill in Dee, teaming daily with wife Betty to deliver The Oregonian to Dee and Odell residents, at the aluminum plant in Troutdale, as a warehouseman at United Grocers, and for years operated his own farm in the Eagle Creek-Dover area.
After retiring from United Grocers, for a time he owned and operated a commercial fishing boat out of Brookings, Ore. He moved to Nehalem, Ore., spending many happy years semiretired there.
Vern grew up fishing and hunting. He was also an accomplished musician with a very good singing voice. Having been taught to play several instruments as a youngster, his favorite became the guitar. For a very short time, he played as part of a band in the Columbia Gorge area, but later played for many years at family sing-a-longs. He developed a lifelong habit of daily Bible scripture reading. He became quite skilled at cooking, and loved to cook for others. Later in his life, his hobbies were simple - fishing and hunting, cooking and family.
In 1998, after beginning to experience health problems, he moved to Spray, Ore., to be near his daughter, Joan. In September 2004, after increasing health concerns, Vern moved into the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles. Early in the morning on Dec, 8, 2004, he suffered a stroke, and that evening he passed away.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Frank and sisters Rita and Zella, and by two very special canine companions: "Lucky" and "Rocky."
He is survived by: sons Vernon Rogers, Jr., Craig Rogers, David Rogers, daughter Joan Field, and former wife Betty; numerous other family members, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many, many good friends.
A memorial service will be on Dec. 17 at 11 a.m., at the Anderson Funeral Home and Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Road, Hood River.
Vernon will be laid to rest near his family at Idlewild Cemetery, Hood River.
Memorial remembrances may be sent to: The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, c/o Anderson's Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont, Hood River, OR 97031.
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