Dale Rogers

Dale "Preacher" Rogers was born February 25, 1914 in Erath County, Texas to O.S. and Minkie Rogers. Dale was the second-youngest of six children. He married Neoma Kiser on January 11, 1947 in Hale Center, Texas. When Dale was 7 years old the family moved to Hale Center. All of his school years were in Hale Center schools, except one year when he and his sister, Delpha went to Mayfield. Dale and Delpha went to school each day in a two-wheeled cart pulled by a little white donkey named Jude. Dale graduated from Hale Center High School in 1932. Dale got his nickname from his youth and legend has it that he would gather the kids and "preach" to them from atop a box. The name stuck and through his 43 years of employment with Higginbotham-Bartlett Lumber Company, some people only knew him as "Preach" or "Preacher." Dale served in the U.S. Army during WWII under General George Patton. He was a member of the 7th Armored Division and served in England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1945. He received the EAMC medal-campaign medal with 4 bronze stars, 2 Overseas Service Bars, Good Conduct Medal, Service Stripes and the U.S. Army Meritorious Unit Award. He was preceded in death by his wife, Neoma, one son, Jerry Bob; three sisters, Dovie Maginnis, Ruby Radney and Delpha Bonds; and two brothers, Luther Rogers and Lynn Rogers. Dale was a quiet man but anyone who ever met him instantly fell in love with him. He loved his family and sitting outside waving at everyone who came by. Dale always said, "The West Texas wind is the only thing that could kill me," and one week ago, Monday, the wind blew him down going to the mailbox. Survivors include his son, Bill(y) Rogers and wife, Kathy of Canyon; three grandchildren and spouses, Chris and Ginger Rogers, of Edmond, OK, Kaci and Scotty Powers, of Waco, and Katy and Russ Barnett, of Graham; and eight great grandchildren, Thomas and Katy Rae Powers, of Waco, Hope Barnett, of Graham, Morgan Rogers, of Amarillo, and Bailey, Corbin, Chase and Cameron Huxley, of Edmond, OK. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Plainview where Dale had been a member for over 50 years, 205 W. 8th St., Plainview, Texas 79072; or to the First United Methodist Church, 1818 4th Avenue, Canyon, Texas 79015.