I wanted to dedicate this site to my uncle David Leo Rogers. He was truly and inspiration to the whole family whether in his many musical talents of singing and guitar playing to his kind hearted and generous personality.
Dave started out playing a guitar that his older sisters Frances and Ruth had bought him when he was 11. Dave picked around on his father's guitar (which was my grandfather William E. Rogers Sr.)for a few years prior.
Uncle Dave even played at Madison Square Garden as a backup for a group in Phoenix, Arizona when he was 14, and Tex Ritter (John Ritter's father) borrowed Dave's guitar once to play since he left his somewhere else.
Dave then started playing music at Mac & Margie's off Van Buren street across from the Big Apple restaurant. He later sung with small country bands and finally joined the Judy Lynn band in the early 60's and played as lead rhythm & bass guitar and lead singer. Dave even had the pleasure of singing in the Mint Casino that Patsy Cline sang in a few times and knew her well. Dave also sang for a few years with his elder brother Paul Rogers. They owned a bar together called the Bit & Spur.
Dave was never a braggart and he was good to people through his 59 years of living. He was raised around 8 brothers and sisters, Homer (deceased), Ray and Marie, (deceased)Bill, Paul, Ruth, (my mother)Mary & Shirley (deceased), which all came from a loving family background.
Tragically we lost Dave while he was hunting Elk in December of 1999, the last month of the 20th century. He, along with some good friends, he had just sat down to a nice cold one with the guys after bagging his first Elk with a rifle.
We were told that Dave took one drink and then slumped over dead of a heart attack.
He is survived by his wife Rena and two daughters Lois Ann and Danielle.
Dave's legacy will never die and I feel he is singing his heart out with others who has gone on.
I have no doubt that we will someday see Dave again and we will sing forever together up yonder.
We all Love you uncle Dave, and miss you.
Sincerely: Michael & Patricia Burger
Dave's 1940 Coupe
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