Earl Rogers

(From Konantz Warden Funeral Home)

Earl Lee Rogers, age 90, of Liberal, MO passed away on Saturday, April 3, 2021. Earl was born February 16, 1931 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Harold and Esther (Carlson) Rogers. 

When he was 12 years old his father got sick from cancer and had a radical surgery in which his jaw was removed. That surgery resulted in him spending more than 100 days in the hospital. Earl stepped up and took over the family trucking business, ran it and even expanded it during this time. He drove trucks in Iowa and Kansas and also drove during the wheat harvest. 

He graduated from Liberal High School in 1949 and joined the Navy where he served from 1950 to 1954. He was a small boat coxswain and then trained as a radio and teletype repairman. He flew bombing missions over Korea as a radio man. Earl distinguished himself heroically as one of the men who evacuated wounded during the Battle of Inchon. 

During his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, China Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal. After he left the Navy he went to college and earned his degree in Mechanics. He worked for Jim’s One Stop and then went on to own a DX Station in Liberal, MO. Earl was also a farmer. 

He married Glenna (Venable) Rogers on October 13, 1952. Together they enjoyed family trips to Branson, MO and attending ship reunions with seamen who had served on Naval ships with him. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Earl loved children and had a special affinity with animals, especially dogs. 

Earl is survived by a daughter, Denise Charlton of Liberal, MO; a son, Douglas Rogers of Liberal, MO; and six grandchildren, Nigel Rogers and wife Cassie, Chad Rogers, Lorna Rogers, Lowell Rogers and wife Nicole, Matt Charlton and wife Debré, and John Charlton and wife Trinity. He is also survived by twelve great-grandchildren, Aidyn, Skye, Thomas, Aesun, Anié, Lliam, Alisdar, Emmett, Oberon, Tancred, Brunhilde, and Zoey; and great-great-grandchild, Layla; sister, Sandra Jo McCann and husband Warren of Arcadia, KS; brother-in- law, Carl Venable and wife Pat of Liberal, MO; sisters-in-law, Sandy Porter and husband Lee of Liberal, MO, Betty Turner of Liberal, MO, Vivian Duke and husband Riley of Olathe, KS, and Joan Ethington and husband Harold of Independence, MO; and many nieces, nephews and other family members. 

Earl is preceded in death by his wife, parents, son Daniel Rogers, and brother Jack Rogers. There will be a visitation on Wednesday April 7, 2021 from 6 PM to 8 PM at Konantz Warden Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at Liberal City Cemetery on Thursday April 8, 2021 at 10 AM.