Ralph Jackson Rogers

Ralph Jackson (Jack) Rogers
Jack Rogers, 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 22, 2015, at Methodist Seashore Manor in Gulfport, MS.
He was born on August 30, 1926, in Meridian, Mississippi to Jack and Dollie Rogers. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wanda Rose Wilson Rogers.
Jack served in the United States Air Force and later received his Bachelor of Arts and Master's Degree at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg Campus. Jack's early career in sales included regional salesman for Dodge, Southeast Division; sales for Virco, Conway, AR; and sales at Martin Olds/Cadillac in Hattisburg, Mississippi.
He began his educational career at William Carey College (now William Carey University) in Hattiesburg, MS, as Professor of History with an emphasis in Mississippi History. During his tenure there, Jack was instrumental in developing and expanding the School of Nursing in New Orleans, LA, and later became the Dean of Continuing Education. He and Wanda moved to Biloxi, MS, where he was the Dean of Evening College at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Jefferson Davis campus.
Jack and Wanda headed elder hostel programs at the University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Campus. They both participated in the Gulfport School District's Partners in Education program sharing their love of travel and reading with the second grade students at Twenty-eighth Street Elementary School. They incorporated reading, geography and history into educational activities with the students. On several occasions they sponsored and participated in field trips for students and their teachers. Jack and Wanda were affectionately called Papa and Muz by staff and students alike. Muz would always take homemade cookies to ""their kids,"" and Papa read the best stories with great enthusiasm and expression.
Jack's involvement in continuing education and lifelong learning precipitated great leaps in adult education and literacy for Mississippi. He was awarded the prestigious Blue Cross Blue Shield Ageless Heroes Award - Love of Learning Statewide, for his many years of educational contributions to so many throughout the state.
Jack's work was published in the two-volume edition of A History of Mississippi (Hattiesburg: University & College Press of Mississippi, 1973). He was a long standing member of the Mississippi Historical Society, served on the board of the Mississippi Humanities Council and was on the board of the Mississippi Red Cross.
Jack was a Methodist and resident at the Methodist Seashore Manor Assisted Living in Gulfport, MS at the time of his passing. He is survived by his daughter, Amanda (Darryl) Breckenridge of Biloxi, MS; his son, Jay Rogers (Aaron Morishita) of Brooklyn, NY; his grandchildren, Hadley Breckenridge of Atlanta, GA, Lisa (Mike) Rosenthal of Marietta, GA, and Amy (Don) Chizk of Allen, TX; his sisters-in-law, Frances Wilson (the late William) McKay of Hendersonville, NC, and Lee Delle (the late Cecil) Wilson of Hattiesburg, MS; his nieces and nephews, Cecil B. (Robin) Wilson of Hattiesburg, MS, Margaret (Dave) Powell of Apex, NC, and Billy (Veronica) McKay of Hendersonville, NC; his six great nieces and nephews and five great grandchildren. He also leaves behind cousins, Gayle Long (The Honorable Roger Wicker, United States Senator) Wicker, Johnny (Linda) McDaniel of Hattiesburg, MS, Peggy (David) Welch of Bloomington, IN, Andi (the late Roger) McDaniel of Clinton, MS, and Mary (Gary) Swoope of Jackson, MS; and Wanda's cousins, Barbara Gates of Hattiesburg, MS, and Roger (Martha Ann) Alford of Bolton, MS.
The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the administration, staff and residents of Methodist Seashore Manor, Biloxi Veterans Administration Home Based Primary Care staff, cardiologist Michael Payment, M.D. and staff of Gulfport, and to Karen Walley, R.N. of Camellia Home Health Care.
The children of Jack, Jay and Amanda, would like to acknowledge Anganette Loper, sitter, companion, friend, and now part of our family for the many acts of kindness, devotion, and loving care she provided for our father and to us.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Jack and Wanda Rogers to: Betty's Kids - Backpack Blessings Program, 368 Courthouse Road, Suite C Gulfport, MS, 39507.
A visitation for Jack and Wanda Rogers will be held from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm on January 15, 2016, in the chapel of RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, MS, 39503. The Very Reverend Bo Roberts will officiate the Celebration of Life service beginning at noon in the funeral home chapel. Special thanks to Dennis Brooks and Nancy Hunter for their part in the Celebration of Life service. A private military burial, with honors, will be held at the Biloxi VA National Cemetery at 10:00 am on Friday, January 15, 2016, for the family.
An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com