Woodrow Rogers

Woodrow Rogers July 15, 1914 - September 7, 2012 T. Woodrow Rogers, Sr., 98, of Waco passed away Friday, September 7, 2012. A celebration of his life will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 10, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with Dr. David Rogers officiating. Woodrow was born July 15, 1914, at Rogers' Hill near Gholson, Texas, to Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Rogers; he was descended from early settlers of McLennan County. The Rogers family moved into Waco in 1920, where Woodrow graduated from Waco High in 1932. Woodrow attended Four C College, where he studied accounting and later taught accounting. He also received a degree in advanced accounting from the Alexander Hamilton Institute, a division of the University of Chicago. While employed at William Cameron Co., he met his future wife, Ellen Martin, whom he married in 1937. After her death in 1980, he married Itasca Davis Womack. In 1939, Woodrow was employed as chief accounting officer for Exporters and Traders Cotton Compress, where he was introduced to the cotton business first hand. In 1944, he left the compress to start his own company, Rogers Delinted Cottonseed Co., which he successfully operated for over 40 years. Through the years, Woodrow was active in the academic, sports, and social lives of his children and grandchildren. A love of sports prompted him to assist in founding Northern Little League, in which he was active for many years. Woodrow was active in the Downtown Waco Kiwanis Club for over 50 years and later was a member of the Senior Kiwanis Club; St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where he served as treasurer and junior warden; the Heart of Texas Fair Board, where he served as president; and was a founder of the Bellmead State Bank, where he served as a director for 22 years. He served as a member of the board of the Waco Chamber of Commerce, the Salvation Army, the American Cottonseed Delinting Association, the Southern Seedsman's Association, and the American Seed Trade Association. In 1988 the American Seed Trade Association awarded him a life membership. He served as president of the Texas Certified Seed Producer's Association and was an active member of the state advisory board of the Texas Food and Fiber Commission for many years. Woodrow was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Ellen Martin Rogers; his second wife, Itasca Davis Rogers; his grandson, John Rogers Wright; and his sisters, Lillian Rogers Dutton and Opal Rogers Hunt. He is survived by his children, Mary Ellen Wright and husband, John, of Waco; Katy Bourland and husband, Richard, of Ft. Worth; Woody Rogers and wife, Ann, of Waco; grandchildren, Katherine Wright, Richard Bourland, Elizabeth Bourland Germany and husband, Matt, Robbie Bourland, Dr. David Rogers and wife, Alison, Andy Rogers and wife, Kelli, and Sarah Combs and husband, Jeremy; five great-grandchildren; as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wesley Woods Care Center, 1700 Woodgate, Waco 76712 or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.