Final Salute

Gary “Boats” Rodgers served in the U.S. Navy for 28 years, and his honors included being a shellback and a proud plank owner of the U.S.S Mobile (LKA-15). He last served with the 26th Battalion Seabees in Peoria, ILL. Chief loved his time in service and the men & women he served with.He also retired from Caterpillar Tractor in central Illinois where he was a research and development mechanic for 31 years.

He was an avid reader, and a collector; one man’s junk was his treasure, and he never found an auction he did not love.

Also, an enthusiastic supporter of the Second Amendment, he loved guns and to go hunting.

Mr. Rodgers leaves behind his son, Chris Lee Rodgers; daughter, Katy Gibson (Tommy); and grandchild, Riley Gibson. Even though he was the “best looking of the Rodgers boys”, the other brothers James Rodgers (Debbie) of Fayetteville, TN and Robert Rodgers of Goofy Ridge, ILL, are still around. He is also survived by a host of family and friends.

Preceding him in death are his wife, Marcy Rodgers; son, Matt Rodgers; parents, Willis and Norma Tyler, and Bobby Rodgers; and nephew, Samuel Rodgers.

The family will be holding a memorial service in central Illinois at a later date.