Thad ‘Sonny’ Rogers, 81, of Adairville, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018 at NHC in Springfield. Sonny Rogers was born and raised in Logan County. He is preceded in death by his parents, Maurice Halliburton Rogers Sr. and Miriam Hipple Rogers, and by his sisters, Mary Eleanor Rogers Cain and Sarah Mason Rogers Smith (and her daughter, Miriam.)
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carole Savage Rogers, and his son, William Burns Rogers (wife Donna), and beloved granddaughter, Madeline Elese Rogers.
He is also survived by his brother Maurice Halliburton ‘Buddy’ Rogers Jr. (wife Arlene and stepson Mike) and by his sister, Ann Bates Rogers Clark (husband Wayne and their children Thad and Sarah.) He is also survived by brother-in-law, John Cain (wife Mary Eleanor (D) and their daughters Mary, Kate, and Lisa, and by his sister Sarah’s daughters, Corinne and Benji. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Patricia Savage Bowers, and her son Tony.
Sonny was blessed with life-long friends and served his community in many capacities: as an organizer and director for Adairville Rural Fire Department, Production Credit Association, and Southern States. He was instrumental in establishing South Logan Water Association and the consolidation and formation of Logan County High School while serving on the Logan County Board of Education. He was most recently a member of the Russellville United Methodist Temple, former member and treasurer of Oakland United Methodist, Russellville Masonic Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, Rizpah Shrine, and the Royal Order of Jesters.
Sonny was a family man, farmer, reader, Shrine clown, prankster, and the man who many turned to for help. Martin Luther King Jr. said that “the measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Sonny was a giant of man in his strength of character and in being the man that always rose to the occasion, caring for family, friends, and neighbors, and for his community.
Funeral Services for Thad ‘Sonny’ Rogers will be conducted at noon on Monday, Aug. 6, at the United Methodist Temple with Rev. Wayne Sayre officiating with burial to follow in Greenwood Cemetery in Adairville. Visitation at the Temple will be held Sunday, Aug. 5, from 2-5 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. until the service hour.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital or the United Methodist Temple. Envelopes will be available at the temple.
Summers, Kirby and Sanders Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Pallbearers: Loring Helfrich, Todd McKee, Thad Clark, Harrison Walser, Tony
Phillips and Mike Winnie
Honorary Pall Bearers: Clyde Delk, Glenn Gainous, Joe Mason, John Combs and Jim Bella