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In Memory Of
Joel Walter Rogers
Mr. Joel Walter Rogers, Mayor of Franklin, teacher, coach, and mentor, age 69, passed away February 23, 2020.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday February 26, 2020 at 2:00 PM from the chapel of Stutts Funeral Home with Rev. Ron Capes and Mr. Durell Langley officiating. Interment will follow in Franklin City Cemetery.
The family will accept guests at Stutts Funeral Home Wednesday from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday February 26, 2020 at 2:00 PM from the chapel of Stutts Funeral Home with Rev. Ron Capes and Mr. Durell Langley officiating. Interment will follow in Franklin City Cemetery.
The family will accept guests at Stutts Funeral Home Wednesday from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
He was born April 4, 1950 to the late Robert Irvin Rogers and Elizabeth Duke Rogers. He was a member of Franklin United Methodist Church.
He graduated from Heard County High School (Class of 1968). He attended Carroll Tech where he earned a Certificate in Automotive Mechanics in 1969, and was a member of the school’s first graduating class.
He was drafted into the US Army and served his country honorably from 1970 – 1971. He was stationed in Germany with the Service Battery, 2’nd Battalion, 41’st Artillery.
He married the love of his life, the late Pamela Elaine Denney, and found his true calling in 1981 when he accepted a position as the Construction teacher at Heard County High School.
Over the years he mentored many students who went on to pursue employment in the construction industry. He was the sponsor of Heard High’s Vocational Industrial Clubs of America chapter for many years.
Another of his passions was sports. He had the pleasure of coaching countless young athletes over the years in football, basketball and golf. The passion he had to see his athletes succeed drove them to become better men and women.
It was his drive to see Heard County Athletics succeed that was instrumental in his nomination to be the High School Athletic Director in 2002. With the cooperation of the School Board, Joel oversaw the improvement of athletic facilities. A new turf field and visitors stands were installed at Staples Stadium, the gymnasium was expanded to make room for wrestling practice facilities, the baseball field saw many upgrades, and a new softball field and tennis complex were built.
The success on and off of the field for the athletics programs won him the respect of his fellow athletic directors. He was named the Region Athletic Director of the year in 2008 and the AA State Athletic Director of the Year in 2011.
He retired from education in 2013, but he was able to see the fruit of his labor when the girl’s softball team won the AA state championship in 2014, and the football team won the AA state championship in 2018.
After his career in education Joel felt he still needed to serve his community. He had been a city councilman from 2001 until 2013, when he was appointed to serve the remainder of a term as mayor. In November of 2013, he was elected mayor. In 2017, he ran unopposed for another four year term. As mayor he oversaw the construction of the new Franklin City Hall. In gratitude for his years of service to the citizens of Franklin, the city council renamed the council chambers in the new city hall in his honor.
He served as the District Vice President on the Georgia Municipal Association Board of Directors and had the honor of serving on the West Georgia Technical College Board of Directors after having graduated from Carroll Tech many years before.
Among Joel’s other passions were playing golf, Georgia Bulldog Football, and building things. He especially enjoyed making cabinets or anything out of wood.
Survivors include: two sons: Jared Rogers of Franklin and Jake Rogers (Lori) of Cartersville; four grandchildren: Andrew Rogers, Bryce Rogers, Kinsley Rogers, and McKenzie Jackson; two brothers: Richard Rogers (Linda) of Centralhatchee and Tracy Rogers (Shirley) of Ephesus; and a number of other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Pam Rogers, one brother, Robert Rogers, and one sister, Luticia Rogers Walden.
He graduated from Heard County High School (Class of 1968). He attended Carroll Tech where he earned a Certificate in Automotive Mechanics in 1969, and was a member of the school’s first graduating class.
He was drafted into the US Army and served his country honorably from 1970 – 1971. He was stationed in Germany with the Service Battery, 2’nd Battalion, 41’st Artillery.
He married the love of his life, the late Pamela Elaine Denney, and found his true calling in 1981 when he accepted a position as the Construction teacher at Heard County High School.
Over the years he mentored many students who went on to pursue employment in the construction industry. He was the sponsor of Heard High’s Vocational Industrial Clubs of America chapter for many years.
Another of his passions was sports. He had the pleasure of coaching countless young athletes over the years in football, basketball and golf. The passion he had to see his athletes succeed drove them to become better men and women.
It was his drive to see Heard County Athletics succeed that was instrumental in his nomination to be the High School Athletic Director in 2002. With the cooperation of the School Board, Joel oversaw the improvement of athletic facilities. A new turf field and visitors stands were installed at Staples Stadium, the gymnasium was expanded to make room for wrestling practice facilities, the baseball field saw many upgrades, and a new softball field and tennis complex were built.
The success on and off of the field for the athletics programs won him the respect of his fellow athletic directors. He was named the Region Athletic Director of the year in 2008 and the AA State Athletic Director of the Year in 2011.
He retired from education in 2013, but he was able to see the fruit of his labor when the girl’s softball team won the AA state championship in 2014, and the football team won the AA state championship in 2018.
After his career in education Joel felt he still needed to serve his community. He had been a city councilman from 2001 until 2013, when he was appointed to serve the remainder of a term as mayor. In November of 2013, he was elected mayor. In 2017, he ran unopposed for another four year term. As mayor he oversaw the construction of the new Franklin City Hall. In gratitude for his years of service to the citizens of Franklin, the city council renamed the council chambers in the new city hall in his honor.
He served as the District Vice President on the Georgia Municipal Association Board of Directors and had the honor of serving on the West Georgia Technical College Board of Directors after having graduated from Carroll Tech many years before.
Among Joel’s other passions were playing golf, Georgia Bulldog Football, and building things. He especially enjoyed making cabinets or anything out of wood.
Survivors include: two sons: Jared Rogers of Franklin and Jake Rogers (Lori) of Cartersville; four grandchildren: Andrew Rogers, Bryce Rogers, Kinsley Rogers, and McKenzie Jackson; two brothers: Richard Rogers (Linda) of Centralhatchee and Tracy Rogers (Shirley) of Ephesus; and a number of other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Pam Rogers, one brother, Robert Rogers, and one sister, Luticia Rogers Walden.
The Staff of Stutts Funeral Home is honored to support the Rogers family with End of Life Services.
Offer condolences in the comments below.
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Will be forever missed!
I was sorry to read of Mr. Rogers passing. As a fellow construction teacher from the same region our students would often compete against one another to have a chance to go to state level. I know we all looked forward each year to the competition, it gave us teachers an opportunity to socialize and talk shop. Heard County was some of the most feared competition and I'm sure it was because Mr. Rogers worked so hard to get his students ready.
We would often host competition and set up the various contest when necessary. Mr. Rogers was always eager to lend a hand to make things work. I still have a video made with him in it when we hosted the USA Skills Olympics once in LaGrange. We pray for God's blessings on his family.
Tom Barnett
Moreland, GA
(retired construction teacher)
We would often host competition and set up the various contest when necessary. Mr. Rogers was always eager to lend a hand to make things work. I still have a video made with him in it when we hosted the USA Skills Olympics once in LaGrange. We pray for God's blessings on his family.
Tom Barnett
Moreland, GA
(retired construction teacher)
Condolence message
Mr. Rogers was my favorite teacher in high school & one of my favorites teachers overall & I loved being in his construction class & I will miss seeing him around town & will miss talking to him. He was a great man & great leader & I'm sad to see him go but I know he is no longer in pain & send my condolences to his family Ben Walker
Mr. Rogers was my favorite teacher in high school & one of my favorites teachers overall & I loved being in his construction class & I will miss seeing him around town & will miss talking to him. He was a great man & great leader & I'm sad to see him go but I know he is no longer in pain & send my condolences to his family Ben Walker
Condolence message
I hate to hear of my friend Joel Rogers' passing. I worked with him in the Georgia Skills USA - VICA for many years. He was a good colleague and a good teacher who had the respect of all who knew him. I hate I will miss his memorial service because I will be out of town.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family tonight. God bless you all.
(Numbers 6:24-26) Paul Elder
I hate to hear of my friend Joel Rogers' passing. I worked with him in the Georgia Skills USA - VICA for many years. He was a good colleague and a good teacher who had the respect of all who knew him. I hate I will miss his memorial service because I will be out of town.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family tonight. God bless you all.
(Numbers 6:24-26) Paul Elder
Condolence message
It has been many years since we lived in Franklin, but we have never forgotten Joel and Pam Rogers, Jared and Jake. They were the most faithful friends anyone could have. During our move from Heard County, they were always there to take care of details we could not take care of from a distance. When Mike moved ahead of the boys and me, a threatening situation occurred and Joel would not allow the boys and I too be home alone for several days until things settled. He said, “You will stay with us until it’s safe to return home.” My heart breaks for Jared and Jake at the loss of their Mom and now their Dad, but I know Joel and Pam had a beautiful reunion in heaven. Mike & Ann Bunn
It has been many years since we lived in Franklin, but we have never forgotten Joel and Pam Rogers, Jared and Jake. They were the most faithful friends anyone could have. During our move from Heard County, they were always there to take care of details we could not take care of from a distance. When Mike moved ahead of the boys and me, a threatening situation occurred and Joel would not allow the boys and I too be home alone for several days until things settled. He said, “You will stay with us until it’s safe to return home.” My heart breaks for Jared and Jake at the loss of their Mom and now their Dad, but I know Joel and Pam had a beautiful reunion in heaven. Mike & Ann Bunn
Condolence message
Please accept my deepest condolences. Sincerely, Loraine Crenshaw (Wellstar West Georgia Hospice)
Please accept my deepest condolences. Sincerely, Loraine Crenshaw (Wellstar West Georgia Hospice)
Condolence message
I had the pleasure of working with Joel during my tenure at West Georgia Tech and witnessed firsthand his passion for education. He served as a dedicated board member and always focused on serving students first. My prayer is that God will continue to bless and comfort you in the days ahead. And have peace in knowing...we serve God on this earth by serving our community and fellow man. This is something that Joel understood well. God Bless!
Steve & Debra Daniel (Thomaston, GA)
I had the pleasure of working with Joel during my tenure at West Georgia Tech and witnessed firsthand his passion for education. He served as a dedicated board member and always focused on serving students first. My prayer is that God will continue to bless and comfort you in the days ahead. And have peace in knowing...we serve God on this earth by serving our community and fellow man. This is something that Joel understood well. God Bless!
Steve & Debra Daniel (Thomaston, GA)
Thank you for your expression of confidence by selecting our services. May time bring you comfort and strength.
Sincerely, The Staff and Management of Stutts Funeral Home
Sincerely, The Staff and Management of Stutts Funeral Home
