James Edward Rogers Jr.

July 2, 1934 – September 24, 2023

Marvelous. A favorite word of Jimmy Rogers, Jr. when reacting to a moment that touched his heart. A word fitting to describe the life he lived, a life full of deep, meaningful relationships and experiences. A life dedicated to service of his family, friends, clients and hometown of El Paso, Texas. Jimmy made the transition from earth to the presence of his Heavenly Father on Sunday, September 24th while holding his wife Jody’s hand.

He was born on July 2, 1934 in El Paso, Texas to James E Rogers, Sr. and Ethel Howe Rogers. After attending Dudley School, Jimmy went on to El Paso High School, where he graduated in 1952, having served as Student Body President his senior year. His studies continued at SMU in Dallas, Texas. On his way to graduating with honors in 1956, he was the Team Manager of the Mustangs for four years. Those teams included legendary professional sports owner Lamar Hunt, a cousin of Jimmy’s. Jimmy was President of the senior class his final year there.

Following his graduation, Jimmy entered the United States Air Force. Jimmy was awarded Commendation Medals from both the Air Force and Army for outstanding service as a Second Lieutenant during his tenure at two stations in Alaska. After being transferred by the Air Force to San Francisco, Jimmy met a brilliant and beautiful American Airlines flight attendant from Oklahoma named JoAnne (Jody) Sue McArt. Jimmy and Jody were eventually married in 1959 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Shortly after they were married, Jimmy and Jody moved to his beloved hometown of El Paso, where Jimmy joined Rogers & Belding Insurance and Real Estate to work with his father. Jimmy would eventually take over the reins from his father and led Rogers & Belding to tremendous growth. While CEO, the firm became one of the largest local independent insurance agencies in the Southwest. Jimmy’s imprint on the insurance industry was significant. He was honored with numerous awards in the industry over his years at Rogers & Belding.

It also didn’t take long for Jimmy to begin making his mark as a civic leader in El Paso once he moved home. He immediately began volunteering for the Sun Bowl Association, an organization his father helped found in 1934. Jimmy was almost exclusively responsible for CBS agreeing to televise the Sun Bowl nationally, a relationship lasting 54 years that continues to this day. He also was instrumental in getting the Sun Bowl Stadium expanded, negotiating the first ever bowl sponsorship with John Hancock Financial Services and establishing a car rental tax to help the Sun Bowl stay afloat during some difficult years financially.

Jimmy served as President of the Association in 1970 and later as Chairman Emeritus of the Board. He is affectionately known as “Mr. Sun Bowl” due to his innumerable and immeasurable contributions to the Association as a volunteer for over 50 years. The Jimmy Rogers, Jr. Most Valuable Lineman trophy is presented every year to an outstanding player from one of the competing teams. Jimmy was honored as Legend of The Sun Bowl in 1999. In 2009, he was bestowed the Bud Dudley Bowl Executive Award for his service to the Sun Bowl and college football as a whole. The Sun Bowl is known nationally as perhaps the most hospitable bowl in America, much of that due to Jimmy’s gift for showing others a good time.

The Sun Bowl is not the only organization for which Jimmy dedicated his service. Jimmy’s deep love for El Paso went beyond that. Jimmy had a passion for his hometown and to improve the quality of life enjoyed by its residents. He was privileged to serve as a Board member for over 30 years with the Hospitals of Providence, eventually being honored with the title of Chairman Emeritus. It was Jimmy’s vision that led to the development of what is now the Hospitals of Providence Eastside campus.

Over the years, he served as a Board member for the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation, El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau, First Presbyterian Church Foundation, El Paso Sheriff’s Posse, UTEP Development Board, El Paso Board of Realtors, UTEP Athletic Advisory Committee, El Paso Sports Commission, Coronado State Bank, El Paso Industrial Development Corporation, MBank/Wells Fargo Bank/Norwest Bank and El Paso Holocaust Museum. Many of these he presided over at one time.

Some of the honors bestowed upon Jimmy include the prestigious Conquistador Award from the City of El Paso, bestowed in both 1962 and 1988, the Del Norte Award from the County of El Paso in 2002, LULAC Humanitarian Award, Anti-Defamation League Torch of Liberty Award, Realtor of the Year, Outstanding Young Man of El Paso from the Jaycees, El Paso Hotel/Motel Association Hospitality Greatness Award, Rotary International’s Distinguished Service Award and induction into the El Paso Business Hall of Fame in 2007.

Although Jimmy excelled in an office and the boardroom, his love and devotion to his family was what drove him. An outdoorsman at heart, Jimmy loved taking his children horseback riding out at the El Paso Sheriff’s Posse in Sunland Park regularly. He frequently went on group rides throughout the Southwest with the Posse, taking his sons along on many of them. He made two trips to camp out in the wild for a week in Yellowstone Park with his sons, father and other family members. Those trips also included visits to the Grand Canyon in addition to other breathtaking sites he so loved to see.

Jimmy also relished his world travels with Jody. They were blessed with many opportunities traveling with friends to experience different people and cultures throughout the world. The mountains frequently called to Jimmy throughout his life. He cherished annual ski trips with his family and friends to some of the best ski areas in the country. His sons all instantly fell in love with skiing at a young age thanks to their dad, something they are eternally grateful for. Jimmy was an avid skier until he was 80 years old, never missing an opportunity to hit the slopes … and the local lodges afterwards for refreshments.

For times of rest, relaxation and partaking of scotch and waters or wine with family and friends, Jimmy would retreat to the beloved family cabin in Cloudcroft, a town he enjoyed visiting regularly his entire life. It was a second home to Jimmy and Jody.

Jimmy was preceded to the presence of God by his father, Jimmy Rogers, Sr., mother, Ethel Rogers and sister Elizabeth (Betty) Rogers. He is survived by his amazing wife of 64 years, Jody Rogers, oldest son Jim III and wife Judy, second son Doug and wife Sherri, and third son Mike and wife Ali, grandchildren Cameron and Will (Jim III), Darren and Trevor (Doug), and Isabella and Luke (Mike) as well as his two sisters, Marion (Nita) Kerr and Carolyn (Stevie) Wieland with brother-in-law Mike Wieland. Jimmy and Jody have 4 wonderful great-grandchildren in Myles and Bailey (Cameron), Cian (Will and his wife May) and Eleanor Rose (Trevor and his wife Sarah). Jimmy also cherished his 7 nieces and nephews and their wonderful families.

His family will be holding a private burial service for him. A celebration of his life will be held soon after, with details to be forthcoming. Honorary pall bearers for the private family service are his dear friends John Folmer, Bernie Olivas, Paul Dipp and Tom Fenton (also his cousin). Troy Poe, son of Jimmy’s lifelong best friend Dick Poe, will also be an honorary pall bearer. Jimmy will be greatly missed, especially his infectious smile and boisterous laugh, but his legacy lives on. In lieu of flowers, Jimmy would be honored with a donation to the UTEP scholarship fund that will be created in his name.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com for the Rogers family.