Douglas Bonesteel Rogers Obituary (1924 - 2014)

Douglas Bonesteel Rogers passed peacefully on June 11, 2014. Our father was born February 13, 1924 in Elgin, Illinois to Frank Davis and Elsa Schwerdtmann Rogers. He had an older brother Paul and a younger sister Florence. Dad grew up in Elgin and shortly after high school was drafted into the US Army serving in World War II with the 42nd Rainbow Infantry Division. He received a direct commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and was a recipient of the Bronze Star. At the end of the war his unit helped liberate the prisoners from the Dachau Concentration Camp, an experience that stayed with him all his life. A week after returning home he married Dolores Niedert on December 1, 1945. During their first years of marriage, he and Dolores joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From the time he was a teenager he worked in the retail business. After their conversion he gained a desire to work for the church-owned ZCMI department store and they moved their young family to Salt Lake. Dad loved the merchandising business and along with many long-time cherished colleagues was instrumental in leading ZCMI to become one of the greatest women's fashion stores in the west, having created departments such as Girl's World, Loft, Young Attitude, Cameo Room and the ZCMI Youngtimer Fashion Board for high school senior girls. Dad's 30 year devotion to its success offered our family many wonderful and fun experiences, and we were proud to be "Mr. Rogers" children. Our father carried out every responsibility with integrity, intensity and enthusiasm. Dad had a great sense of humor and his story-telling skills were unmatched. He possessed a strong testimony of the divinity of our Savior Jesus Christ, and served in bishoprics, high councils and as a guide on Temple Square for many years. In the community he served as president of the Salt Lake Exchange Club, a board member at Weber State University and a Justice of the Peace in Kaysville. He and Dolores were blessed with six children and after many years amicably divorced. On October 13, 1974, Doug married Audrey Lee in the St. George Temple. Together they shared many happy experiences, including memorable trips to various places around the world and fulfilling a mission in the Chicago Temple. Their home was often a gathering place where family members were always welcomed. He is survived by his wife Audrey, children Leslie (Reg) Garff, Grant (Cindy), Julie (Charles) Pierce, Jane Rogers, Caroline (Victor) Taylor, Kent (Arrianna), 27 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, his sister Florence Hopper and many loved nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Paul and son-in-law Gale Bailey. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 21st at 1:00 p.m. at the Kaysville Crestwood Stake Center, 855 East Mutton Hollow Road. A viewing will be held Friday, June 20th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Myers Funeral Home, 250 N. Fairfield Road in Layton, and Saturday from 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. at the Crestwood Stake Center. Interment in the Kaysville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to the LDS Missionary Fund online at www.ldsphilanthropies.org. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com VisitationMyers Mortuary of Layton 250 N. Fairfield Rd. Layton, UT 84041 June 20, 2014 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ServiceCrestwood Stake Center 855 East Mutton Hollow Road Kaysville, UT 84037 June 21, 2014 1:00 PM CemeteryKaysville City Cemetery 500 East Crestwood Road Kaysville, UT 84037 June 21, 2014