John Raymond Rogers

John Raymond Rogers passed away on February 25, 2025, in Waco, Texas, at the age of 88.

A memorial service to honor his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco, Texas, with Angelina Payton officiating. A reception will follow in the Garden Room.

John was born on March 9, 1936, in Waco, Texas, to the late Raymond Aulvry and Ann Oakes Rogers. He attended Connally High School, where he graduated as valedictorian earning a full academic scholarship to Texas Tech. While at Texas Tech, he studied mechanical engineering and walked onto the freshman basketball team. John lived a remarkable life filled with adventure, success, and deep connections with family and friends.

John’s professional journey was as dynamic as his personality. He began his career at the North American Rockwell Corporation as a Quality Assurance Statistical Analyst, responsible for planning and establishing quality tests and inspections to assure the Pentagon that production was meeting specifications as designed for aerospace. John later transitioned into sales, where he excelled, becoming the #1 salesman for Prudential Insurance nationwide in the 1970s. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to cattle ranching and business ownership, including Rogers Feed & Supply, JRR Farms with over seven thousand acres of cattle operations, which he co-owned with his ex-wife and the mother of his children, Amie Witt Rogers Davis. In addition, he was the former President and CEO of AmeriFirst Capital Corporation, former EVP for The Stephens Group,

His leadership extended beyond business; he served as past president of both the Heart of Texas Fair & Rodeo and the Texas Maine Anjou Association, and numerous other organizations including school boards and Little League Baseball Coaching in Ross, TX. Among his many accomplishments, he franchised a flame-retardant business and took great pride in owning Eden, his prized Maine Anjou bull, once ranked as the world’s largest.

A man of many interests, John had a passion for golf, hunting, fishing, water skiing, and horseback riding. He was an avid sports fan, especially devoted to Texas Tech basketball, football, and baseball. Known for his wit and charm, he had a knack for storytelling.

John was a faithful Christian, and his sparkling baby blue eyes reflected a life well-lived—one filled with humor, warmth, and an undeniable presence that left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

John was preceded in death by his parents, and his best friend and brother-in-law, Charles Michael Ferguson.

He is survived by his twin sister, Meredith Ann Ferguson; his daughter, Janet Rogers Ginsburg (Brian Douglas Ginsburg); his sons, Edward “Rowdy” Petrich (Alice Yates Petrich) and Benny Aulvry Rogers (Whitney Rogers); and his grandchildren, Meredith Ivy Ginsburg, William Ross Ginsburg, Taylor Petrich Abel (Robert Karl Abel), Allison Spencer Petrich, Skylar Aulvry Rogers, Owen Earl Rogers, Bradley Clayton Bettis ll, and AddyKate Bettis. He was also blessed with great-grandchildren, Braz Walker Abel and Sutton Robert Abel. “Pop” cherished watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren play sports in his later years, just as he had supported his own children in their high school and college sports careers. Additionally, he is survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews that he loved dearly.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart of Texas Fair & Rodeo Scholarship Program (Extraco Events Center), or Lacy Lakeview Methodist Church.

The family of John Raymond Rogers extends their heartfelt gratitude to the many doctors and medical staff who provided life-saving care, including a transplant at age 72, followed by sixteen years of dedicated medical guidance. A special thank you to doctors; Daniel Barbaro, Jamie Boss, Adam Borowski, Leighton Carl, Bernard Fischbach, Steven Gonzalez, Marlon Levy, Nicholas Onaca, and George Stovall for blessing his family and friends with an additional 16 years.

We invite you to leave a message or memory of John in his “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.