Gordon "Reece" Rogers

Gordon “Reece” Rogers, known to some as “Coach”, passed away on Sunday, May 21st, 2017 at the age of 91. He resided at Wesley Village in Macomb, Illinois, formally living in Vero Beach, FL. Gordon was born on May 23rd, 1925 in Edwardsport, Indiana. He served in the Navy during WWII from 1943-1946 on the USS LCI 652. After the war, he attended Indiana State University and graduated in 1949. He married his high school sweet heart, Ruth Magdalene Pohmeier, on November 23rd, 1946. Gordon returned to Edwardsport where he taught school and coached until 1951. He then went on to teach and coach at Sorrento, later turned Greenville, High School for five years. He finished his teaching in Tinley Park, Illinois and retired in 1984. He and Ruth retired to Vero Beach, Florida, where they worked at the Dodgers spring training camp. In 1996, Gordon was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. 

Gordon leaves behind his four children: Stacey Howe (Cindy), Robert Kieth, Penny Sue Shafer, and Steven Kyle (Alicia). He also leaves six grandchildren, and one great-grand son. Gordon was preceded in death by his mother and father, Helen and Percy Rogers; his brother, Kieth Rogers; and his loving wife, Ruth Magdalene Rogers. 

A memorial service will be held in Tinley Park, IL at the Landmark Chapel. Date and time to be announced. He will then be interned next to Ruth at Salem Church of Christ, Westphalia, IN Sunday, July 9, 2017 at 4:00 PM. Fredrick and Son McClure-Utt Funeral Home Bicknell Chapel assisted the family with burial.

Throughout his life, Gordon Rogers not only inspired many to have faith in God, to be self-disciplined, and to show dedication to family; he lived it as well.

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