suwannee Democrat Obituaries-Oct. 26, 2012

Live Oak —

James Hugh Rogers

Dec. 27, 1929

Oct. 24, 2012

James Hugh Rogers: Born Dec. 1929, passed into God’s

keeping Oct. 24, 2012. James Hugh Rogers of O’Brien, Fla. passed away Oct. 24, 2012. Mr. Rogers was the son of Candler Rogers and Ruby Lee Jarriel of Evans County, Georgia. He is preceded in death by his first wife Dorothy Lugene, son James Brian, sister Charlotte McElroy, sister Erma Jean Green and brother Harry Rogers.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Lori Rogers, his son David H. Rogers, (Jennifer) son Albert Pettingill, (Amanda); daughter Mirandy Brown; sisters Colleen Finch, Linda Fay Assad, Janice Sapp, and brothers Jimmy Rogers and Jerry Sapp. He is additionally survived by five grandchildren, and ten great_grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

James was born in Manassas, Ga., Dec. 27, 1929, to a family of sharecroppers who plowed their fields with a mule, lit their small home with kerosene lamps, and drew water from an open well. When he was just 13 years old, his mother, Ruby Lee, died, two days after giving birth to his youngest sister Janice.

Shortly after his mother’s death, James left his stepfather’s farm to live with his father in nearby Claxton, Ga. Candler Rogers was Sheriff of Claxton County. Though life was good in town, with running water and no farm chores, James had difficulties adjusting to city life. In 1946 he joined the Army Air Corps. After Basic Training he was posted to occupied Japan where he served with the Weather Service. Transferred home just prior to the outbreak of the Korean War, he remained stateside during the conflict. Later, assigned to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, he fell in love with and married Dorothy Lugene Gosnell, the sister of a fellow weatherman. Married for 23 years, they were blessed with two sons, David and Brian.

James was noted for his ability to think on his feet and repair almost anything with almost nothing. Because of this outstanding trait, he was tapped to join a specialized team supporting the top_secret U_2 spy plane program. He traveled to England, Turkey, Germany, and Japan where he worked with the famous pilot Gary Powers. Captain Powers’ aircraft was shot down over the USSR in May of 1960, bringing the U_2 program to an end.

After returning to Eglin AFB in Fla., James was transferred to the spy satellite program based at Offutt AFB near Omaha, Nebraska. His final tour of duty was in Viet Nam in 1967 where he monitored satellite reception.

James retired from the Air Force in 1969 and moved his family to Orlando, Fla. He liked the South and knew the economy was bound to grow in the Sunshine State. His family prospered there, and the years following his retirement were busy and full. The untimely death of his beloved wife Dorothy in 1978 was a sad time for James and his sons, but he found comfort in serving others.

After Dorothy’s death, James became a realtor and went to work for the self-help housing group; Homes in Partnership. Working with HIP leadership and the Catholic Farm Worker’s program, he worked tirelessly helping to build thousands of homes for low income families in the Central Florida area. James efforts gave hundreds of families the opportunity to capture a piece of the American dream; home ownership.

James retired a second time after 20 years with Homes in Partnership. Prior to his retirement, he and his wife Lori purchased a vacation home on the Suwannee River, in North Florida. They loved their time on the river and in 2001 they purchased a second home on the Suwannee, and permanently moved to the O’Brien area.

Always active in community affairs and ever ready to help when called upon, James was a member of several organizations in the Orlando area including the Apopka Foliage Sertoma Club and the Apopka Chamber of Commerce. James continued to give his time and service when he moved to his new community. He was an active member of the local American Legion and VFW. In 2003 James became a member of the Masonic Lodge of Branford, Florida. Rising quickly through the ranks, he was accepted into the Shriners Club and the Scottish Rite. In 2009 he was elected Worshipful Master of the Branford Lodge.

Jim Rogers will be remembered as an honest, humorous, hardworking, and kind man, always ready to lend a helping hand, and share his last dollar. He will be missed as long as memory survives by family, friends, neighbors, and fellow Masons. RIP

Services for Mr. Rogers will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28th at Daniels Memorial Chapel in Branford, Fla. with Dr. Walter Black officiating. Interment will follow in the O’Brien Cemetery.

Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., of Live Oak and Branford, Fla. in charge of arrangements.

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Barbara Jeanette Watson

Dec. 28, 1939

Oct. 23, 2012

Barbara Jeanette Watson age 72 passed away Oct. 23, 2012 at Haven Hospice in Lake City surrounded by her family. A lifelong resident of Live Oak, Barbara was born to Thomas and Wilbur Morgan Dec. 28, 1939. Barbara was a member of Mount Gilead Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband Mitchel Watson of 31 years, her daughter Denise Martin (Eddie) of Live Oak, Fla. her sons Hal Sapp (Airalisha) of Live Oak, Fla. and Tommy Sapp (Alana) of Live Oak, Fla. her step-sons Mitch Watson (Catherine) of Jacksonville, Fla. and Rudy Watson (Kara) of Charleston, Il. (8) Grandchildren and (5) Great Grandchildren; her brothers Bronzelle Morgan of Live Oak, Fla., Virgil Morgan of Jacksonville, Fla. Evann Morgan of Live Oak, Fla. and one sister Sheryl Pelling of Live Oak, Fla. She was preceeded in death by her first husband Calvin H. Sapp of Live Oak, Fla.

Barbara and Mitch were retired poultry farmers. She enjoyed painting, Elvis tribute shows and spending time with her family. Barbara was an avid collector of vintage jewelry, trinkets and accessories.

A visitation was held on Thursday, Oct. 25 between 6 and 8 p.m. at Daniels Funeral Home in Live Oak, Fla. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, Oct. 26 at 3 p.m. at Daniels Funeral Home with Reverend Wayne Allen officiating. Interment will follow at Orange Baptist Church Cemetary near Dowling Park Fla.

Barbara loved and was loved by all who knew her. 　

Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., of Live Oak and Branford, Fla. in charge of arrangements.

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Richard A. Penny

Oct. 23, 2012

Richard A. Penny , 51, Springhill, Fla. passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012.

Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. Live Oak & Branford, Fla.

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Ward Hellstrom

Oct. 23, 2012

Ward Hellstrom, 82 , Live Oak, Fl passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012.

Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. Live Oak & Branford, Fla.