Melvin "Mel" Raymond Rodgers, 57, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at the OakCrest Funeral Home Chapel in Waco, with graveside services held immediately afterward at Oakwood Cemetery. The Rev. Wayne Williams, the Rev. Su Milam, and the Rev. Kenneth Moerbe will officiate. Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at OakCrest Funeral Home.
Mel was born in Waco, Texas, to Melvin and Frances Rodgers, and graduated from Midway High School in 1970. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served for six years. He served during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and the Veteran of Foreign War Medal. After leaving the military, Mel went back to school and received a Bachelors of Science degree from Texas A&M at Commerce in 1978 and Masters of Business degree in Finance from Baylor University in 1981. On April 21, 1982, Mel was elected to the Beta Gamma Sigma National Honor Society due to his outstanding GPA and his commitment to Baylor and his community.
Mel started his career as a banker for First City National Bank in 1981 and ended his banking career as Vice-President of Correspondent Banking for what is now Bank of America in Waco. After leaving banking, he became an independent business man and owned many local businesses. His last business "Just A Handyman" was started from scratch in 2001 and is still operating today under the direction of his son, Michael. In August of 2001, Mel founded the local affiliated of Rebuilding Together, a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to repairing the homes of low income homeowners at no cost to the homeowners.
In 2004, Mel was elected to the National Affiliate Counsel of Rebuilding Together to represent Region 7. Region 7 consisted of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Meetings were held in Washington D.C. with the main goal of fundraising through congressional members. In 2005, the local organization was expanded to include the building of wheelchair ramps and the installation of grab bars and hand rails. Rebuilding Together of Waco was dissolved in 2006 after Mel was diagnosed with cancer. The organization operated for five years, with all volunteer labor and helped 253 homeowners in the Waco area.
Mel also served on the Board of Caritas and was Vice-president and a member of the Executive Committee during his last year. Mel was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Waco. Being an active member he sang in the choir, played the hand bells, and loved to cook for and serve food to church members. He was also active in the Thursday morning Men's Prayer Breakfast, the Friday morning Men's Bible study class and was a member of the Word & Deed Sunday School Class. Being a person that liked to work with his hands, Mel also served his church through several mission trips and was especially fond of the mission trips that included the church youth.
He is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 38 years, Ellona Jean (Johnson) Rodgers; son, Michael Raymond Rodgers and wife, Amber, of Rosebud; daughter, Tammy Jean Rodgers, of Marlin; granddaughter, Bridgit Marie Rodgers, of Rosebud; his parents, Melvin and Frances Rodgers, of Waco; sisters, Linda Coleman, and Ruby Safley and husband, Bobby, all of Waco; and brother, James Rodgers, of Waco.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 9/03/2009...R4
Mel was born in Waco, Texas, to Melvin and Frances Rodgers, and graduated from Midway High School in 1970. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served for six years. He served during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and the Veteran of Foreign War Medal. After leaving the military, Mel went back to school and received a Bachelors of Science degree from Texas A&M at Commerce in 1978 and Masters of Business degree in Finance from Baylor University in 1981. On April 21, 1982, Mel was elected to the Beta Gamma Sigma National Honor Society due to his outstanding GPA and his commitment to Baylor and his community.
Mel started his career as a banker for First City National Bank in 1981 and ended his banking career as Vice-President of Correspondent Banking for what is now Bank of America in Waco. After leaving banking, he became an independent business man and owned many local businesses. His last business "Just A Handyman" was started from scratch in 2001 and is still operating today under the direction of his son, Michael. In August of 2001, Mel founded the local affiliated of Rebuilding Together, a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to repairing the homes of low income homeowners at no cost to the homeowners.
In 2004, Mel was elected to the National Affiliate Counsel of Rebuilding Together to represent Region 7. Region 7 consisted of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Meetings were held in Washington D.C. with the main goal of fundraising through congressional members. In 2005, the local organization was expanded to include the building of wheelchair ramps and the installation of grab bars and hand rails. Rebuilding Together of Waco was dissolved in 2006 after Mel was diagnosed with cancer. The organization operated for five years, with all volunteer labor and helped 253 homeowners in the Waco area.
Mel also served on the Board of Caritas and was Vice-president and a member of the Executive Committee during his last year. Mel was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Waco. Being an active member he sang in the choir, played the hand bells, and loved to cook for and serve food to church members. He was also active in the Thursday morning Men's Prayer Breakfast, the Friday morning Men's Bible study class and was a member of the Word & Deed Sunday School Class. Being a person that liked to work with his hands, Mel also served his church through several mission trips and was especially fond of the mission trips that included the church youth.
He is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 38 years, Ellona Jean (Johnson) Rodgers; son, Michael Raymond Rodgers and wife, Amber, of Rosebud; daughter, Tammy Jean Rodgers, of Marlin; granddaughter, Bridgit Marie Rodgers, of Rosebud; his parents, Melvin and Frances Rodgers, of Waco; sisters, Linda Coleman, and Ruby Safley and husband, Bobby, all of Waco; and brother, James Rodgers, of Waco.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 9/03/2009...R4
Melvin "Mel" Raymond Rodgers, 57, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at the OakCrest Funeral Home Chapel in Waco, with graveside services held immediately afterward at Oakwood Cemetery. The Rev. Wayne Williams, the Rev. Su Milam, and the Rev. Kenneth Moerbe will officiate. Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at OakCrest Funeral Home.
Mel was born in Waco, Texas, to Melvin and Frances Rodgers, and graduated from Midway High School in 1970. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served for six years. He served during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and the Veteran of Foreign War Medal. After leaving the military, Mel went back to school and received a Bachelors of Science degree from Texas A&M at Commerce in 1978 and Masters of Business degree in Finance from Baylor University in 1981. On April 21, 1982, Mel was elected to the Beta Gamma Sigma National Honor Society due to his outstanding GPA and his commitment to Baylor and his community.
Mel started his career as a banker for First City National Bank in 1981 and ended his banking career as Vice-President of Correspondent Banking for what is now Bank of America in Waco. After leaving banking, he became an independent business man and owned many local businesses. His last business "Just A Handyman" was started from scratch in 2001 and is still operating today under the direction of his son, Michael. In August of 2001, Mel founded the local affiliated of Rebuilding Together, a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to repairing the homes of low income homeowners at no cost to the homeowners.
In 2004, Mel was elected to the National Affiliate Counsel of Rebuilding Together to represent Region 7. Region 7 consisted of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Meetings were held in Washington D.C. with the main goal of fundraising through congressional members. In 2005, the local organization was expanded to include the building of wheelchair ramps and the installation of grab bars and hand rails. Rebuilding Together of Waco was dissolved in 2006 after Mel was diagnosed with cancer. The organization operated for five years, with all volunteer labor and helped 253 homeowners in the Waco area.
Mel also served on the Board of Caritas and was Vice-president and a member of the Executive Committee during his last year. Mel was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Waco. Being an active member he sang in the choir, played the hand bells, and loved to cook for and serve food to church members. He was also active in the Thursday morning Men's Prayer Breakfast, the Friday morning Men's Bible study class and was a member of the Word & Deed Sunday School Class. Being a person that liked to work with his hands, Mel also served his church through several mission trips and was especially fond of the mission trips that included the church youth.
He is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 38 years, Ellona Jean (Johnson) Rodgers; son, Michael Raymond Rodgers and wife, Amber, of Rosebud; daughter, Tammy Jean Rodgers, of Marlin; granddaughter, Bridgit Marie Rodgers, of Rosebud; his parents, Melvin and Frances Rodgers, of Waco; sisters, Linda Coleman, and Ruby Safley and husband, Bobby, all of Waco; and brother, James Rodgers, of Waco.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 9/03/2009...R4
Mel was born in Waco, Texas, to Melvin and Frances Rodgers, and graduated from Midway High School in 1970. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served for six years. He served during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and the Veteran of Foreign War Medal. After leaving the military, Mel went back to school and received a Bachelors of Science degree from Texas A&M at Commerce in 1978 and Masters of Business degree in Finance from Baylor University in 1981. On April 21, 1982, Mel was elected to the Beta Gamma Sigma National Honor Society due to his outstanding GPA and his commitment to Baylor and his community.
Mel started his career as a banker for First City National Bank in 1981 and ended his banking career as Vice-President of Correspondent Banking for what is now Bank of America in Waco. After leaving banking, he became an independent business man and owned many local businesses. His last business "Just A Handyman" was started from scratch in 2001 and is still operating today under the direction of his son, Michael. In August of 2001, Mel founded the local affiliated of Rebuilding Together, a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to repairing the homes of low income homeowners at no cost to the homeowners.
In 2004, Mel was elected to the National Affiliate Counsel of Rebuilding Together to represent Region 7. Region 7 consisted of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Meetings were held in Washington D.C. with the main goal of fundraising through congressional members. In 2005, the local organization was expanded to include the building of wheelchair ramps and the installation of grab bars and hand rails. Rebuilding Together of Waco was dissolved in 2006 after Mel was diagnosed with cancer. The organization operated for five years, with all volunteer labor and helped 253 homeowners in the Waco area.
Mel also served on the Board of Caritas and was Vice-president and a member of the Executive Committee during his last year. Mel was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Waco. Being an active member he sang in the choir, played the hand bells, and loved to cook for and serve food to church members. He was also active in the Thursday morning Men's Prayer Breakfast, the Friday morning Men's Bible study class and was a member of the Word & Deed Sunday School Class. Being a person that liked to work with his hands, Mel also served his church through several mission trips and was especially fond of the mission trips that included the church youth.
He is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 38 years, Ellona Jean (Johnson) Rodgers; son, Michael Raymond Rodgers and wife, Amber, of Rosebud; daughter, Tammy Jean Rodgers, of Marlin; granddaughter, Bridgit Marie Rodgers, of Rosebud; his parents, Melvin and Frances Rodgers, of Waco; sisters, Linda Coleman, and Ruby Safley and husband, Bobby, all of Waco; and brother, James Rodgers, of Waco.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 9/03/2009...R4
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