Roland Nelson Rogers

Roland N. Rogers, 82, entered the presence of the Lord on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, in Santa Paula, CA. He was born on October 26, 1931, in Ventura, CA to Manning and Blanche Rogers. Raised in Santa Paula, he graduated from Santa Paula High School in 1950 where he played on the tennis team. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. Following his discharge, he attended UCLA, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, and graduated in 1956. He went on to earn his MBA from USC in 1959 while working full time for General Electric.

He married the love of his life, Gretchen Hall, in 1960, and together they had two children. The Rogers family resided in Ventura where Roland was first employed as a stockbroker with Eastman Dillon and later with the Ventura County Assessor’s Office as a Real Estate Appraiser.

Roland was a member of the Ventura Rotary Club East, and was involved in youth sports, coaching Foothill Little League and Ventura Youth Basketball. He was also a long time member of Community Presbyterian Church in Ventura.

After retirement, Roland returned to the city he loved, Santa Paula. He became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Paula where he served as an Elder, Chairman of Deacons, Chairman of the Endowment Committee and sang in the choir. Roland was the Scholarship Chairman for the Santa Paula Alumni Association as well as Treasurer for the Santa Paula Mural Committee. An avid UCLA fan, he loved watching Bruin football. He also enjoyed California Angels baseball. Roland was a lifelong outdoorsman who loved fishing and camping in the High Sierras. He also enjoyed American History and travel, particularly cruises with friends and family.

Roland is survived by his wife of nearly 54 years, Gretchen Rogers; son, Robert Rogers of Seattle, WA; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Jay Olson of Ventura, CA; grandchildren, Ian and Emma Olson both of Ventura, CA; sister, Nancy Rexrode of Fallbrook, CA; cousin, Don Pinkerton and wife Jane of Burbank, CA; and sister-in-law, Carol Hall of Redlands, CA along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

Roland will be greatly missed by family and friends. He was devoted to his family, humble, loyal, kind, and had a great sense of humor. Roland had a deep love for the Lord, others, and for his country.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to “First Presbyterian Church of Santa Paula” with a notation in the memo line of “Roland – Endowment Fund” and sent to: 121 Davis St., Santa Paula, CA 93060.

A Memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Paula, 121 Davis St., on Saturday, April 12, 2014, at 12 Noon with a BBQ to follow.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.