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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Sep 2002
GUY A ROGERS * '46
No. 15608 * 10 Apr 1924 - 28 May 2001
Died in Lawton, OK * Interred in Fort Sill Cemetery, Fort Sill,
OK |
GUY ARNOLD ROGERS was born in Okmulgee, OK but
grew up in Oklahoma City. He attended OK Military Academy in
Claremore, OK during his early school years and some high school,
but he graduated from Classen High School, Oklahoma City. With
the start of WW II, Guy enlisted and was accepted as an Aviation
Cadet in the Army Air Corps when he won his appointment to West
Point. Guy joined the Class of 1946 on the banks of the Hudson
on 1 July 1943.
Cadet life created no problems for Guy. E-2 roommate, Del Rovis,
recalled: "There are a few things about Guy I can never
forget. For one, he never studied yet seemed to keep up with
academics. It was never a dull moment with Guy around. He loved
people and had to be around them at all times. He was a great
source of information as to what was going on in the company
and outside its domain. If something was going on, Guy knew it.
He kept me from walking the area many times. He was a great roommate
and we will miss him." At graduation, Guy pinned on the
bars of a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery.
Following basic artillery schooling at Fort Sill, OK, Guy married
Martha Jayne Dawley on 4 May 1947 in Oklahoma City. His first
duty station was in Japan. His illustrious active duty career
included a variety of staff and command positions. He commanded
the 1st Rocket Howitzer Bn at Fort Riley, KS, the 559th Artillery
Group in Vicenza, Italy and served as Deputy Commander 4th Infantry
Division Artillery in Pleiku, Vietnam. For his wartime service
in Vietnam, Guy received the Silver Star Medal and two Bronze
Star Medals. While on active duty, Guy gained a Masters in Engineering
from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Business Administration
from the University of Louisville. Upon his return from Vietnam,
Guy spent the remainder of his active duty in a variety of assignments
at the Field Artillery School and on the Post Staff at Fort Sill.
He retired from active duty 31 January 1975 as a Colonel.
After retirement, Guy worked for the OK Department of Mental
Health, as the administrator for Lawton's Taliaferro Center (1975-1985)
and as Executive Director, Bill Willis Center (1986-87) in Tahlequah,
Ok. He was President, National Association of Mental Health Administrators
in 1984 and was recognized nationally as the Administrator of
the Year in 1986. He was the first to receive full recognition
nationally as a Certified Mental Health Administrator in 1982.
In addition, Guy served as a volunteer on numerous boards and
commissions in the Lawton, OK area.
Guy Rogers, after a lengthy battle with cancer, died 28 May 2001,
the day the Class of 1946 was starting its 50th Reunion. Survivors
include his wife Jayne, son, Col Guy A Rogers II; daughters,
Barbara and Ann and seven grandchildren.
How a man is remembered by those who knew and loved him reflects
upon his greatness. Here is how Guy is remembered:
Classmate, Farrel Dockstetter, recalled: "Guy was one of
the kindest, most considerate individuals I have ever known.
He dearly loved his family, West Point and his fellow graduates.
It was a special privilege to have known and to be associated
with Guy Rogers. He was truly a distinguished individual."
Classmate, Rob Rusvold, wrote: "I can think of no greater
tribute to my old friend than to have this thought every day:
In this situation, what would Guy have done? Always cheerful,
yet decisive and deliberate in his actions, he seemed to approach
life in all its dimensions with enthusiasm, composure and resoluteness.
When he decided to do something, he pursued it to its successful
conclusion. Guy is missed."
Fellow officer in Vietnam and at Fort Sill, Eddie McKesson, remembered:
"He was very good at getting the best out of an officer
or enlisted man. He was an honest leader - one you could trust
and count on. Our country and all of us that knew him lost a
true friend when Col Guy Rogers left this world."
Close friend and neighbor, Milton Kinne, recalled: "As the
years passed and our friendship deepened, my respect and genuine
admiration for Guy increased. His level of activity made him
a legend among the large community of retired officers here in
the Fort Sill area. If required to reduce Guy's eulogy to a single
sentence, I would say: 'Good friend, good husband, good father,
good citizen, good soldier and what more could a man offer?'"
Son, Guy II, had these remarks shortly after he received word
of his promotion to colonel: "He was the most positive influence
in my life. I am honored to be selected for my next promotion,
privileged to wear his eagles and proud to be his son."
The Class of 1946 respectfully adds these few words that would
mean so much to our classmate. "Well Done, Guy; Be Thou
At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his family
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