LAUREL HILL — Family, friends and neighbors recall former Laurel Hill mayor and city councilman Douglas Rogers’ contributions to the north Okaloosa County community.
"He did a lot for the city. He just had the city's best interests in heart," former city clerk Shirley Simmons said. "He always did."
Rogers' life was celebrated today with a Home Going Service at Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home. He died on Monday at 86.
"Memorial Day 2013 will forever be remembered by our family,” his wife Estelle wrote in an email to family members and friends. "Doug went to sleep for the last time."
Douglas Rogers was a World War II veteran and a retired colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He retired as an Eglin Air Force Base logistics officer in 1977.
Rogerswas a councilman 1993-1994 before he served as mayor 1995-1996. He was responsible for getting the city's industrial park designated, helped organize the Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department and served as its chief for several years.
One of his pet public projects was spearheading the restoration of "Old Red," the department's 1940s International Harvester fire truck. The restoration won multiple awards in antique vehicle shows and parades.
In addition to his public service, Douglas Rogers served as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Laurel Hill.
The Rogerses — both 1945 Laurel Hill School graduates — were noted for their community outreach, including providing and maintaining a garden and gazebo that once stood in front of 1905 Gallery, and donating land for the city's maintenance yard.
"The Rogers have helped advance their burgeoning city and, subsequently, have become engrained in the city's history," U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller said in the House of Representatives on June 4, 2008.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Former Laurel Hill mayor, Douglas Rogers, laid to rest