Nicholas Rogers

Long-time Villa Park resident, Nicholas Rogers, 85, died November 9,
2020 following a short illness. He worked for many years as a
commercial real estate broker in the area.
Nick was born September 15, 1935 in Salmon, Idaho, the son of Albert
and Arline (Bradley) Rogers. The family returned to their home state of
Montana after a few years and Nick grew up there, often living in the
Bitterroot Valley.
As a young man, Nick decided to leave Montana in search of better
economic opportunities. He followed his older sister to the Detroit, MI
area, where she had moved after getting married. Nick married Barbara
Walker and had three daughters before the couple divorced.
Having worked at a Chevrolet dealership in parts and service, Nick
moved into sales – a career he would continue in for the rest of his life.
While selling Chevrolets, Nick met Kathryn (Kay) Peters. They
subsequently married and after a honeymoon to Southern California,
decided to relocate to Orange County.
In California, Nick switched to selling newspaper advertising and was a
top salesman for the Los Angeles Times for three years before deciding
to move on to real estate. He worked with several firms in Orange
County over the next five decades.
Nick and Kay eventually settled in Villa Park where they raised three
children. They were long-time members of the First United Methodist
Church of Orange, where Nick sang in the choir for over 35 years. He
enjoyed singing in a local barbershop chorus for many years. He
performed with a choral group at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York
City. For several years, he also performed in Christmas programs at
Disneyland.

Nick enjoyed socializing with family and friends. He celebrated his 80 th
birthday with a family reunion attended by his children, their spouses
and his grandchildren.
He enjoyed traveling, as he and Kay often took the family on the road in
their Winnebago motor home. In recent years, he and Kay continued to
enjoy traveling, especially cruises including a voyage to Alaska to
celebrate their 50 th wedding anniversary and a trip down the Mississippi
River. Nick had a well-known love for salmon, King crab legs and ice
cream, often while wearing one of his many Hawaiian shirts. He was
also known to enjoy a good margarita.
Along with his wife of 54 years Kathryn (Kay), Nick is survived by:
children LeAnne Rogers of Rochester Hills, MI; Rebecca Rogers of
Girdwood, AK; Colleen Rogers of London, England; Scott Rogers (Anne)
of Fountain Valley, CA; Laurel Parke (Philip) of Anaheim Hills, CA.; and
Derek Rogers (Paige) of Upper Arlington, Ohio; grandchildren Jennifer
Rogers (Gary Milton), Karmen Butler (Mark Lowman), Gabriel Rogers-
Mullen, Jackson, Anderson and Hudson Parke, Molly and Maggie
Rogers, Charlotte and Mackenzie Rogers; sisters Audrey Kennedy, Kitty
Petersen, Kelly Burnett and Mary Hill. Nick was predeceased by
granddaughters Chloe Titone and Dorothy Rogers-Mullen, sisters Irma
Dolan and Leona (Pat) Waits. He also has two great-grandchildren and
several nieces and nephews.
A private funeral service held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 24 at
First United Methodist Church of Orange with Pastor Bill Johnson
officiating. Interment followed at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange.

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