James David Rogers

James David Rogers Services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. for James David Rogers, 71, who passed away Sunday, June 15, at Forrest General Hospital. David was born January 16, 1943, and attended Laurel City Schools, graduating from George S. Gardiner High School. He was an avid racecar fan, having built and raced his own car at the age of 16. He also loved horses and spent his teen years training horses for several friends. David has been a loyal fan of the New Orleans Saints since the franchise began, attending countless home games over the years. David worked in the oil industry after high school and realized his dream of owning his own service company when he founded Central Hydraulic, Inc. in 1973. He went on to open stores in Louisiana, North Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. David was a member of West Laurel United Methodist Church and was a Mason. He also served as a former board member and director of the Mississippi Oilmen’s Association and was a former member of the Country Cooks. David also enjoyed hunting and spending time every year at his hunting camp with longtime friends. David was preceded in death by his father, Crawford “C.C.” Rogers; his mother, Helen Lightsey Rogers; and granddaughter, Melissa Reid Rogers. He is survived by his two children; daughter, Stephanie Green (Richie); and son, David Scott Rogers; two grandsons, David Austin Rogers and Clifton Chapman Rogers; one brother, Donald C. Rogers (Libba); and nephews, Donald Rogers, Jr. and Jason Rogers. He is also survived by his special companion, Ruth Beech, and her children, John Beech (Stephanie), Sherry Walker (Jerry), Sheryl Meadows (Mark), Bryan Beech (Delora), six grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers will be his longtime employees of Central Hydraulic, Inc.: Wayne Lowery, Carl Craven, Timmy Rogers, Vance Grissom, Jake Spencer, and Morris Welch. Visitation will be held at Memory Chapel on Tuesday from 5 until 8 p.m. The memorial service will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Memory Chapel with burial at Hickory Grove Cemetery in Laurel. Rev. Chris Klingenfus will officiate. Memory Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. To view and sign the family guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

James David Rogers

January 16, 1943 - June 15, 2014