CRAVEN "BUCK" ROGERS
Sept. 16, 1934-Aug. 4, 2016
Retired Lt. Gen. Craven Clark "Buck" Rogers, 81, Tampa, Fla., passed away Aug. 4, 2016.
Born in Galveston, Texas, to Craven Clark and Agnes Louise Rogers, he was the eldest of three sons.
A proud Texan, he was also the great-grandson of pioneers of the Oklahoma land rush.
He was married for 59 years to the love of his life, Beverly, and together they raised five children, who gave them the joy of 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1957 and a master's degree in business administration from George Washington University in 1973.
His distinguished flying career consisted of 5,500 hours of flying time, including 255 combat missions in the F4C "Phantom" during the Vietnam War.
He was heavily decorated during his career, including earning the Bronze Star, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross and Legion of Merit.
During his career, he served in many capacities, including serving as commander of the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, military assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force, commander 314th Air Division, commander of 7th Air Force in South Korea, vice commander in chief U.S. Pacific Air Forces and deputy commander in chief of U.S. Central Command during the Persian Gulf War.
Throughout his career, he was a proud fighter pilot.
Following his military career, Buck served as director of auxiliary services and then vice president of finance at the University of Tampa.
He traveled the world, first as the son of an Army Air Corps commander and subsequently as a military officer.
Buck was a devout Catholic his entire life.
He had a passion for aviation, Army football, reading and history.
He was a true American patriot with a deep love of his country. Above all, he was a devoted husband and father, who cherished his family.
He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Maj. Mark Whitney Rogers.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly; his children, Cheryl Rogers, Laura Rogers, Clark Rogers (wife, Valerie), Regina Bryant and Susan Barger (husband, Van); his grandchildren, Matthew, Riley, Gavin and Coleman Parks, Clark, Ryan and Austin Rogers, Annie, Emma and Wesley Bryant and Carson and Madeline Barger; his brother, Donald James Rogers (wife, Paula); and sister-in-law, Mary Rogers and children, Mark and Mary Ann.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, American Red Cross or Wounded Warrior Project of which Buck was an avid supporter.
A memorial service celebrating Buck's life will be held Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, at 1 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 821 S. Dale Mabry, Tampa, Fla.
A reception immediately following.
Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery of Arlington, Va.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on August 10, 2016 1:49 PM