Lt. Col. (USMC retired) Harry L. Rogers Jr. joined his beloved wife in heaven on Sept. 20, 2018; he expired at home surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Strawbridge, Lycoming County on Dec. 22, 1924, Harry was the only son of Harry L. Rogers Sr. and Ruby (Shoemaker) Rogers. Husband of Virginia Ruth (Cassell) Rogers, a native of Livingston, CA, they had been married since June 15, 1946, after meeting as students at the University of California.
Harry graduated from the Newman School in Wolf Township, Hughesville High School (1942), and the Williamsport Technical Institute (PA College of Technology), majoring in aviation mechanics. He worked toward engineering degrees at USC-Los Angeles and U.C.-Berkeley before being selected to attend Officers’ Candidate School at Quantico, VA.
In Feb. 1943 Harry enlisted in the Marines. He was commissioned in June 1946 as a Second Lt. and served as a dedicated engineering officer until his retirement on Sept. 1, 1966. Harry designed and built the moveable bridge the USMC is still using today. He also designed and built 3 dams at Camp Pendleton, CA.
Harry bravely served in the military during 3 wars (WWII, Korea, and Vietnam) and was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V” while in Korea. He earned the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and numerous rifle and marksmanship awards. Harry also received various combat decorations: the United Nations Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Letter of Commendation, Presidential Unit Citation with Second Award, WWII Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Second Award, and the Korean Service Medal with 4 Stars.
Harry retired to his beloved farm in Bryantown in 1966 and was field director for General Business Services in Lycoming County for a decade. He farmed for 35 years, raised sheep for 18 years, and performed community service. A former Wolf Township Supervisor, he also served as president of the Hughesville Rotary Club, of which he is the oldest living member, and as president of the Muncy Creek Sportsmen. Harry is a lifetime member of NRA and the American Legion Post #601 (Sonestown) as well as a member of the Marine Corps League. A member of Trinity Lutheran Church since birth, he served on the church council and as Sunday School Superintendent. He served on the draft board for many years. A life member of Muncy Lodge #299 of F. & A.M. and Scottish Rite, Harry was also a member of National Sojourners #509 and Irem Temple Shriners, all Masonic affiliations.
An avid hunter, fisherman and gun collector, Harry’s claim to fame was the moose he shot in the Northwest Territory, Canada in 1978 which set a world record when officially scored by Boone & Crockett. With cedar brought from his favorite Ontario, Canada retreat and stones from his grandfather’s farm, he and Gin built a log room which houses trophies from his lifetime as a dedicated sportsman. Well known for his devotion to conservation practices and an intense love of nature which he instilled in his children, Harry enjoyed riding around his property looking for wildlife, stocking trout, planting seedlings, cutting wood and making family heirlooms in his woodshop. He and his adored wife travelled in their camper to all 50 states as well as Canada and Mexico.
Harry is survived by his children, Catherine (Richard) Laubach, Christine (Robert) Kindon, Harry L. III (Diana) Rogers, and daughter-in-law Sandra Waltz Cartwright; his grandchildren, Stephanie (John) McDermott, Jennifer (David) Kendall, Kyra (Ron) Kindon-Horwath, Christianna (Christopher) Schork, Byron Kindon, and R. Joseph (Asha) Kindon, William (Tara) Rogers, Michael (Toni) Rogers, Kimberly Rogers, Billee Ann (Andy) Bennett, and Jayme (Chris) Rowland; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Elizabeth Knyrim; as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Previously deceased, in addition to his wife, are a son, William Clifford Rogers (USMC); a granddaughter, Rachel Elizabeth Kindon; and a sister, Agatha Taylor.
Funeral Services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, September 29, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 120 S. Main St., Hughesville, with Rev. Cinda J. Brucker officiating. Burial will follow in Picture Rocks Cemetery with graveside military honors accorded by combined veterans’ organizations. Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church.
The family will provide the flowers and suggest memorial contributions in Harry’s honor to Trinity Lutheran Church or Toys for Tots through the local Marine Corps League.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home, Hughesville.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.mccartythomas.com.
