Fred Rogers

At the age of 97, the life of Fred W. Rogers came peacefully to an end on Jan. 3, 2021. Fred was born on June 25, 1923 in McKinney, Texas, the youngest son of Peter Gordon Rogers and Ema Gertrude Caperton. He grew up in Sherman, Texas and attended Sherman High School, going on to earn his BA from the University of Texas. Fred grew to become a man of strong character and wisdom who modeled honesty and responsibility in all aspects of life. He was a true gentleman and a loyal, loving husband, father, and grandfather. Fred served in both WWII and the Korean War and while in the service he married Rebecca Rose Martin on April 13, 1951. He then began a long career with Farmers Insurance Group, which took the Rogers family from Texas to California to Illinois, back to California and finally home to Austin, Texas. Fred rarely, if ever, missed a day of work, and as Toppers Club member he became a polished public speaker. He was also a devoted family man. With his family, he crisscrossed the country pulling a camper to visit the wondrous sites at many of the national parks during summer vacations. He was a master at capturing simple moments of quality time with his two children, whil...[more]

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atching fish, shelling pecans, or driving the paper route on early chilly mornings for his son's first job. In retirement, and after the passing of his beloved wife of 49 years, Rebecca, Fred married Marian Loper, now deceased. They were active members of St. Albans Episcopal church for many years, where Fred enjoyed a role as a reader of scripture for the congregation. His kind nature and knack for story telling resulted in a wide circle of dear friends. He relished gathering with his golf buddies, men's breakfasts, and "cutting the rug" on the dance floor with Marian at the Onion Creek Club. In the final year of his life, Fred was a resident of Village on the Park, where he was able to maintain close connections with his friends from Onion Creek. Fred will be fondly remembered by all for his welcoming smile, quick wit, avid devotion to golf, and keen interest in Texas Longhorn football. He is survived by two children and 11 grandchildren, his daughter Phyllis Rogers and her children, Amanda, Christina, Maria, Lianna, Jessica, Julia, Melissa and Angela, and his son K. Gorden Rogers and his children Erica, Ben, and Andrea. In lieu of flowers, donations may be on the website, www.isacra.org. The International Sacral Agenesis/Caudal Regression Association is a nonprofit organization founded by Fred's granddaughter, Jessica, to support and advocate for those who share her rare spinal condition. It is the family's desire to have a celebration of Fred's life with family and friends at a time when conditions are safer for large gatherings, possibly early in 2022. For more information, contact the Harrell Funeral Home. For the safety of all, there will not be a public viewing event