December 12, 1929 ~ November 22, 2016
Born in: Hinton, WV,
Resided in: Asheville, NC
Kent Rogers, B.S., D.D.S., age 86 of Asheville, N.C., passed away physically on November 22, 2016.
He was born and raised in Hinton, West Virginia, a railroad town on The New River, the river that flows north. Kent is the son of Ellsworth Kent Rogers JR. ("Toots") and Vera Margaret O'Connor Rogers; both parents are deceased. A younger brother, retired LTC Jack L. Rogers is also deceased, as well as numerous aunts, uncles.
During the high school years in Hinton, Kent enjoyed competitive sports; and, his senior year was appointed captain of the football, basketball, and baseball teams. Declining a professional baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals' organization, he worked out with the New York "Yankees" at Hertford, N.C. in the spring of 1947. Kent entered Wake Forest College on a baseball scholarship in the fall of 1947, at Wake Forest, N.C., where he played four years of varsity baseball and finished 2nd in the 1949 College World Series.
In 1951 Wake Forest College was chosen to represent the United States of America in baseball competition in the First Pan-American Olympic Games held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Kent played center-field/3rd base, hitting .304 and fielding without an error. The United States baseball team finished 2nd with a silver medal.
Following graduation from Wake Forest College with a B.S. in General Science (Pre-med), he migrated into Nova Scotia, Canada to play baseball in the Halifax and District League. Ultimately, four summers were played at the position of 2nd base for the Stellarton Albions. The Albions won the league championship play-offs in 1951-52-53.
Making the decision to pursue higher education in the summer of 1951, Kent entered Marshall College at the end of the baseball season to work toward a master's degree in Biological Sciences. Following acceptance at Northwestern University School of Dentistry in Chicago, Illinois, Kent initiated his dental education in the fall of 1952.
Following graduation from Northwestern University Dental School in June 1956, Kent entered the United States Air Force. After serving his country four years, a position as a staff dentist with the V.A. Hospital in Oteen, N.C. was accepted. Kent worked as a staff dentist from November 1960-1962. In January 1962, a private practice of dentistry was opened in East Asheville. Following forty-four years of a general practice of dental science, Kent retired in 2006, after the sale of his practice to Dr. Doug Phillips.
Following Kent's eleven years in competitive sports, he was honored to be included into several sports Hall of Fames; including the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame in 1980. Without God's gift of athletic ability, becoming a dentist to serve people would never had been possible for a poor boy from the hills of West Virginia. Kent enjoyed a wonderful romance with dentistry and was privileged to serve many wonderful clients during his fifty years "down in the mouth".
Kent is survived by his wife, Gail F. Rogers; sister, Mary Lu Crawford; five children with Shirley Mellotte Bumgarner, Cheryl R. Pope and husband David, Donna R. Cavanaugh and husband Bill, Steven K. Rogers and wife Darnell, David W. Rogers and friend Paul Baker, "Patty" R. Richardson and husband John; seven grandchildren, Samuel, Roxanne, and Isabel Pope, Brianna C. Jones and husband Brandon, Kara Cavanaugh, and Joseph and Anna Richardson; and a great-grandson "Baby Jones" on the way. Kent is also survived by his wife's three children, Pat Howard and wife Barbara, Wendell Howard and wife Amy, Kelly H. Beasley and husband Keith; her grandchildren, Josh Howard and wife Jess, Jacob Howard, Taylor Howard and wife Leah, Keri. H. Piller and husband Keenan, Kadee and Maggie Beasley, Caroline and Scott Bailey, and Kirsten Price; and her great-grandchildren, Hudson and Sutton Howard, Hawkins Howard, and Layla Price.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, with funeral services beginning at 12:30 p.m. Graveside services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Western Carolina State Veteran's Cemetery in Black Mountain.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: E.K. Rogers and Family Athletic Scholarship for Christian Athletes, Wake Forest University, c/o Deacon Club, 499 Deacon Blvd., Winston-Salem, N.C. 27105.
Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Rd. is assisting the family.
What a wonderful person. I have owed him my smile for over 35 years and will truly miss him
Sorry to hear of Kent’s passing. He was a fantastic dentist and great human being. His advice on dentisrty, and life was the best.
So very sorry for the loss of your loved one. Within your grieving and recovery, please, fall into the hand of God, for his mercy is great. 2 Samuel 24:14
I wanted to express my sympathies to the Rogers family. I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope that you find comfort in knowing that one day you’ll have the hope of seeing your loved ones again. Acts 24:15 says that ‘there is going to be a resurrection.’ What this can mean for you is a real hope of being reunited with your dear loved ones. During difficult times like this, we need comfort, and Almighty God is the source of that comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3,4) May you find strength in knowing that death is not the end, but that there is a beautiful hope of seeing our loved ones again at a time when ‘death will be no more.’ (Revelation 21:4)
My family was a neighbor of the Rogers family. They were wonderful neighbors. I am sorry to hear of Kent’s death. May God be with the family at this sad time.
Kent was my dentist years ago in Asheville. He was a great dentist – I still get compliments on the dental work he did in the ’80’s from Raleigh dentists. He also was a truly good person and a loyal runner at the YMCA for many years. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
I lived diagonally across the street from the Rogers family in Hinton until I moved from the town in the mid-1950s. I watched Kent and his brother Jack play and excel in sports at our high school. After Kent graduated and attended Wake Forest, I continued to follow his baseball career until he left North Carolina for Nova Scotia. My parents who still were neighbors with Kent’s family regularly filled me in on Kent’s career up until he became a dentist. Kent represented the best of our town not only as an athlete, his exemplary behavior, and his career as a dentist. He and his brother Jack were young men that my friends and I admired very much and helped motivate many of us to seek careers in professions that require university graduate school degrees. I wish I had know that Kent lived in Asheville as I have lived in nearby Boone for nearly 50 years and would have loved to have renewed our acquaintance..
I grew up in Hinton with the Rogers Family as my neighbor, they were a great neighbor whom helped my mom when she needed the most help…RIP Kent
What a shock to learn of Kent’s death. We went to school together. Talked with him and his wife at Railroad Days. Received a letter from him a few days ago requesting Railroad Days books of Romans for him to distribute. I am so thankful for his faith in the Lord Jesus and his Christian testimony. May God bless his family and loved ones.
We want to express our sympathies to the family. May God grant them peace during such a tremendous loss. We pray that Gail and the family will be strengthened by the quality of his life and the wonderful memories. Tedd and Gail Smith
My prayers and sympathy go out to the family of Dr. Rogers. It was my privilege
to have Dr. Rogers as a patron in my barber shop for many years. I will miss his zest for life and our inspiring conversations.
Neil Thagard
Neil K’s Hairstyling
What a shock to learn of Kent’s death. My son (Todd) and I want to express our sympathies to the Rogers family…We had the privilege to see Dr. Rogers last Friday, Nov. 18th, at our garage in Candler. Dr. Rogers was a very inspiring man, full of life. We will miss seeing and talking with him. He made an appointment. to bring his car back on Tuesday, 29th.
Condolences to all of Kent’s family on his passing. It was a pleasure to know him when we did and cherish knowing good people like Kent.
Lauretta Warlick and Billy Warlick
Donna,
Dan and I are so sorry for your loss. You’ve always spoken so highly of your father. You have our deepest sympathy.
We will so miss Kent’s presence among us, but we rejoice that he is with Jesus, knowing and doing what our minds now can’t comprehend. Our. Love and prayers of comfort to you.
Gail and Family,
Our deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband, father, grandfather and friend. ‘K” meant the world to Nathalie,Anastasia and me. We loved receiving his beautifully written letters and photographs of his roses and the wildlife that visited your property. We will miss his kindness and thoughtfulness. You and the family are in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace and in God’s grace. All our love Pamela, Nathalie and Anastasia Waid
Gail and Rogers Family,
We were very saddened to hear of the death of Dr. Kent Rogers. Please accept our sincerest sympathy on this terrible loss. Dr. Rogers brought so many gifts to our life, we will never forget the kindness and compassion he had for his patients . I remember one Christmas Eve years ago my son was eating a candy cane and broke his tooth . We called Dr. Rogers and he said meet me at the office we’ll have to save this tooth. This was the great person’s life we are celebrating. I have known Dr. Rogers all my life.
We are praying the Love of God enfold you during your journey through grief.
Our Deepest Sympathy
Gail and family,
I was so saddened just now to learn of Kent’s passing. I have so many fond memories of him and his Deacon baseball teammates. As the Varsity Club Director for 16 years at Wake Forest, I used to love getting those men back for an alumni weekend or especially an alumni baseball game. It was obvious how close the 1949/Pan American team still remained after so many years and their affection for each other was infectious. I grew to love them all but Kent had a special place in my heart. He made me a gold cross from his dental gold that I still wear on a chain around my neck every day and it is a constant and endearing reminder of a very kind and wonderful man. Sending you my heartfelt sympathy on your loss.
Gail, I am so sorry to learn of Kent’s passing. I will always remember the wonderful times we had during football weekends at Wake Forest and how much they meant to Wiley. He loved Kent and all his ‘old’ teammates like brothers. They were a very special group. Kent was such a fine Christian man and I know he will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless!
Dear Steve and Roger’s Family,
I was able to meet the Rogers family many years ago and had the opportunity to come by their home in Weaverville at anytime. Steve and I worked together. Steve has great work ethics that he learned from his parents. One time Kent said to me quote ‘Steve really enjoys helping and serving me’. Recently I was able to help Steve at Kent’s home. I was able to share my faith with Kent and he rejoiced. He had a Bible Fellowship at his home.
1st Thessalonians 4 tells us that ‘we need not to sorrow as others who have not the eternal Hope from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dr Rogers as we know has the Eternal Faith of Jesus Christ. What a comfort we have in that and have Kent’s example to manifest God’s eternal love to others.
Great to read all the messages from all of you. Love you ALL-Rick Wink