Curtis Terry Rodgers, Jr. of Seguin passed into eternal life at 87 on August 20, 2017.
He was born March 15, 1930 in Waurika, OK to Curtis T. Rodgers, Sr. and Susie Bell (Emerson) Rodgers. Shortly after the family moved to the Rio Grande Valley where he grew up.
Curtis attended Donna High School where he joined the National Guard prior to graduating in May, 1950. On December 5, 1952, he married his high school sweetheart, Doris (Oetzel) Rodgers. They lived in Weslaco for most of the next 12 years and were blessed with 2 daughters and a son. In the fall of 1961, Curtis' National Guard unit was called to active duty at Ft. Polk, LA where his family joined him before returning to Weslaco.
In 1959, Curtis began working for the B.D. Holt Co. where he worked for 32 years. He began in the machine shop and learned all there was to know about Caterpillar machinery. He worked as a field mechanic, parts and service representative, and opened and managed a Holt branch in Beeville. He ended his Holt career based in San Antonio appraising used equipment for trade in value, travelling to several states. During Curtis' time with the Holt Companies, the family relocated to Corpus Christi in 1964 where they remained for 23 years. Doris and Curtis also lived in Beeville, McQueeney, and Seguin before he retired in 1992. Just prior to his retirement, Curtis and Doris built a home on 8 acres on Vivroux Ranch Road in the Capote Hills. Curtis had always dreamed of living in the country again as he had been raised. He was always an outdoor person who enjoyed his property, grew plants, trees, and gardened, and had many animals as companions. He also worked part-time for Jerry Vordenbaum, a Geronimo Beef Master Rancher, and later for Keith Warren at the Hidden Springs White Tail Deer Ranch before retiring for good at the spring chicken age of 83.
Curtis was always active in the children's activities which included youth football, Little League Baseball as an equipment manager and assistant coach, 4-H and youth rodeo. Some of his proudest moments happened during the annual Nueces County Junior Livestock Show where son Rick had a blue ribbon Hog, daughters Sharon and Terry showed Reserve and Grand Champion Grade Mares the same year, and in separate years, showed Grand Champion Heifer and Grand Champion Steer. Curtis kept pictures of those events where he enjoyed looking at them every day.
After 15 years in the country, Curtis and Doris moved into Seguin where Curtis continued gardening in a courtyard full of beautiful flowers and had a smaller, but plentiful vegetable garden. Curtis enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, and especially the Western Channel on television. Curtis was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where served as a Deacon, an Elder, and a Trustee.
Curtis is preceded in death by his parents; and 4 of 5 sisters. Curtis is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Doris; daughter Sharon Eileen (Seguin), son Richard Curtis (Rick), and wife, Christina (Tina)(Mathis), and daughter, Terry Lynn, and husband, Fred Baca (Houston); 4 grandchildren, Jessica, Taylor, Naomi, and Rachel; 4 great-grandchildren, Mia, Colten, Rylee, and Emma Jo. Survivors also include his sister, Betty Doris Brockinton, and husband, L.A. (Sargent); sister-in-law, Margaret Martin, and husband, Kenneth (New Braunfels), and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Seguin, on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Dave Diercksen officiating, followed by visitation with the family in Karrick Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to First Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 870, Seguin, TX 78156, or Hope Hospice, 611 N Walnut Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130.
Curtis' family wishes to express sincere gratitude to all of his medical caretakers, including his doctors, nurses, Remarkable Healthcare, University and Resolute Hospitals, and GRMC staff as well as Hope Hospice. The family most especially wants to thank Regina, Patty, Adrianne, Josephine, and Janet- Curtis' private sitters who stood by him and our family in a most exceptional manner. Their care and support for him and for us were immeasurable throughout this time.