More detail on this person: Dr. Harry C. Rogers
III, age 75, soldier, aviator, writer and educator
passed away May 27, 2016. He was born to Harry
Campbell Rogers II and Ruth (McIntosh) Rogers on
November 14, 1940. Harry was the eldest of six
children. He attended Robert E. Lee High School in
Jacksonville, Florida while working part time to
support the family. Harry took an early exit from
high school to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps.
After USMC basic he completed the High School
GED which led to his being accepted into the Air
Force Aviation Cadet program. After a year as an
aviation cadet he was commissioned a 2/Lt. and
rated an Air Force navigator. He served four years
as a transport navigator before entering pilot
training. Harry flew a variety of aircraft and
without a doubt the most memorable being the
HH-53 Jolly Green Giant helicopter. His extensive
rescue work over North Vietnam earned Harry a
reputation as an authority on rescue operations
into hostile airspace for which he was highly
decorated. Harry served the military for
twenty-two years; during those years in addition
to his military duties, he earned his high school
diploma, acquired military ratings as pilot and
navigator, and completed his BA and MA degrees.
After military retirement Harry continued his
educational quest by acquiring a Doctorate of
Education (Ed.D.) degree. This was put to good use
in his second career with the Texas Department of
Education. Late in life Harry wrote I had a full
and abundant life and cherished the freedoms with
which we are fortunate to be blessed. He is
survived by his wife and best friend Susan. His
friends remember him for his bigger than life
presence, outgoing personality and boundless
ambition. A contribution to the U.S. Marine Corps
Toys for Tots program would be an appreciated
memorial. Funeral arrangements are under the care
and direction of Hardage-Giddens Beaches Funeral
Home, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL
32250. (904) 249-2374.
www.hardage-giddensbeacheschapel.com or
www.dignitymemorial.com .
Published in the Florida Times-Union on June 5,
2016
This information was last updated 12/09/2016
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