Don C Rogers

Don Charles Rogers was born on September 9, 1940, to Dale and Jewell (Floyd) Rogers, in Ada, OK, as a member of the Choctaw Nation, and passed from this life to his home in glory on Monday, March 16 at 6:27 pm at the age of 85 years. After Don's mother passed away, Dale married Ester, who was Don's stepmother for many years. He was a member of Southern Hills Church of Christ.

Don married the love of his life, Cheryl Elkins Rogers, on June 5, 1964. They lived one year in Denver, CO, before returning to Abilene. They became the devoted parents of a son Scott Jeffrey and a daughter Christy Caron. Life in the Rogers family changed forever on December 21, 1998, when Christy was killed in a car crash on icy roads.

Don was a beloved teacher and principal in the Abilene Independent School District for over 40 years. He taught at Johnston (now Purcell) Elementary and Austin Elementary. He was principal for Travis Elementary, Jackson (now Alcorta) Elementary, Dyess Elementary and Ward Elementary. He retired in May, 2003.

Don was a fun person to be around and enjoyed many activities including biking and traveling with his good friends Cam Hurst and Bruce Bixby. They had many adventures together through the years. He enjoyed traveling and seeing new sights. He was a great supporter of mission work, especially after his daughter, Christy, was killed.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl, his daughter Christy, his brother, Floyd Rogers, and his parents. Survivors include his loving son, Scott Rogers, and his wife Lisa, and a granddaughter, Kirsten Rogers Armstrong and her husband, John, of Dickinson and Kirsten's mother Rachel Modlin. Don's brother-in-law, Phil Elkins and his wife Norma of Altadena, CA, and sister-in-law, Jeanne Connel, and her husband Mike of Tallmadge, OH. Nieces and nephews: Lianna Rogers Monsey, and her husband Kevin, of Yukon, OK; Larisa Rogers Hansen and her husband Brian, of Round Rock; Sydney Long and her husband Scott, of Dallas; Nathan Elkins, and his wife Monica, of Ft. Worth; Todd Elkins and his wife Jackyn, of LaHabra, CA; Monica Elkins Jackura, and her husband Steve, of Davis, CA; Shelby Crow, and her husband Michael of Elgin, Seth Connel, and his wife Cristi of Round Rock, Samantha Luyster of Tallmadge, OH; and several great nieces and nephews and other family members.

The family would like to acknowledge the friends who have helped care for Don the past several years: Mike and Martha Watson, Roger and Michelle Caraway, Evette Orren, JR Rodriguez, Todd Hooper, the many ladies from Southern Hill who have visited and carried gift baskets to him (which he thoroughly enjoyed), and the many friends who have gone by to visit with him.

There will be a memorial service at Elmwood Funeral Home on Sunday afternoon, March 29, 2026 at 2:30 pm. A private burial will be at Elmwood Memorial Park at a later date. Memorials may be made to Southern Hills Church of Christ Missions.