Robert D "Buddy" Rogers

Robert was born January 21, 1938 in Fort Smith Arkansas to Joseph E. & Hazel R.(Dinsmore) Rogers and passed from this life on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at his home in Fort Smith Arkansas.

Buddy grew up in Van Buren Arkansas, spending his early years in downtown Van Buren. The family moved to a farm in the Oak Grove area. He joined the Army in November of 1960. He was a radar technician during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He met the love of his life when her brother took him home to help him work on his car. He married Patricia E. Paxton on April 24, 1962 in Nankin Twp., Wayne County, Michigan. The Army sent them to the Saint Louis area where daughter Saundra was born in 1963. His time in the army ended in March of 1964. The family moved to the Grand Mesa Colorado area where he went to work laying roads when daughter Sheila was born in 1965. Buddy was working for Coors Beer in Golden Colorado when daughter Bobbi was born in 1969. The family moved to Fort Smith Arkansas in 1971 to be near his family. He began his long career with the Missouri Pacific Railroad as a Fireman and worked his way up to Engineer. MoPac became Union Pacific and he enjoyed his time as a Railroad Engineer working with several men he had grown up with.

He was predeceased by his parents Joseph & Hazel Rogers, his sisters: JoAnn R. Helbling, Mary J. Wood, Alice E. Markward & brother: Richard E. Rogers. His beloved wife of 62 years, Patricia E. Paxton Rogers, passed away Oct. 29, 2024. His grandson Kiley Dean Rogers. His niece Beverly Helbling.

Left to mourn his passing are his daughters: Saundra L. Williams (Danny) of Fort Smith; Sheila M. Lively (Jerry) of Perryville AR; Bobbi J. Rogers of the home. Grandchildren: Aliscia Klein (Isaiah), Daniel Williams (Gretchen Yoes) both of Fort Smith, Austen Upton-Smith (Joe) of Alma, Ethan Upton of Fayetteville, Haleigh Upton-Davenport (John) of Hewitt TX, & Alivia Rogers of the home, and Travis and Jared Lively of Perryville. Great grandchildren Isabella, Samuel, & Evelyn Klein of Fort Smith, and Callysta Davenport of Hewett, TX. Sister-in-law Margaret Ann Rogers of Van Buren. Brother-in-law Donald Paxton of Taylor Michigan. 5 nephews and 1 niece.

The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Nurses and Staff at Heart of Hospice for their dedication and kindness.

Whenever anybody told Dad to have a good day he would say “They're all good, some are just better than others”.

Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Monday, January 6, 2025, at Edwards Funeral Home, 201 N. 12th Street.

Funeral Service Will be 10:00 am Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, with interment to follow at the Fort Smith National Cemetery.