Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 1PM from the chapel of the Taylor Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024, from 5PM to 7PM. Burial will follow the service in the Edgewood Cemetery.
Robert Franklin Rogers was born in Nashville, TN on July 21, 1974, to the late Frank D. Rogers, and Sara Gilmore Rogers. He passed away with his wife by his side, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on April 5, 2024, after an 18-month battle with kidney cancer.
Robert lived an interesting childhood and an adventuresome adulthood. There was always something new to discover about his life experiences, even if you’d known him for years. The influences of his larger-than-life father Frank often made these discoveries all the more colorful. Rob grew up in Brentwood, TN where he was a true child of the 80’s, riding bikes and building skateboard ramps in his yard. As a teen he was into music, camping, attending concerts, and being with friends. He attended Franklin Road Academy for 11 years and graduated with the FRA Class of 1992. He completed almost 4 years at the University of TN Knoxville studying business/forestry before returning home to care for his precious mother. He ended up in his mother’s hometown of Vanleer, where he spent the rest of his days residing in the old cabin at “the farm”, also known as Hazzard Hill.
Robert was rich in good friends and fun memories. He loved travel, music, and being outdoors. He travelled to Europe with friends in college and later he and his wife Dawn visited all 50 states together while attempting to visit all of the US National Parks. Robert continued to pursue this goal through his very last days. They visited 57 out of the 63 National Parks in their 13 years together, and 10 out of 10 of the US National Seashores. His favorite states were Hawaii, Alaska, and California, where he saw active volcanoes, stunning glaciers, some of the world’s tallest mountains and oldest trees, and plenty of wild animals. He enjoyed planning all the details of his trips and exactly what he wanted to see. He also had a special fondness for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
His work also kept him travelling. He solely owned and operated two businesses- SAPCO, an aircraft bolt business he inherited from his father; and from 2010-2021 he owned and ran the MSXC (Mid-South Cross Country Racing Series) where he promoted and organized ATV/Dirt bike hare scrambles all over the Mid-South. He loved riding woods trails himself, at his home, and also in the Rocky Mountains.
Rob was one of a kind and had his own language that is well known and loved by everyone he was close to. He was “Full Factory” and could build, weld, haul, or fix about anything. He was smart, organized, prepared, thrifty, and reliable. If he said something he remembered it and you could count on it. He was a keeper of all things with purpose as well as many things burnt up and vintage. But you’ll have that.
Robert will be greatly missed by all who loved him but our memories will keep him alive. Anyone who wishes to share a memory, story, or any words about Robert at his service are welcome and encouraged to do so.
He is survived by his loving wife Dawn Cocke Rogers and her family: mother Missy Sullivan, Grandmother Ann Myers, brothers Will Sullivan and Josh (Shaina) Sullivan, and their son Jones. Also survived by his sisters Jamie Rogers (Tim) Grubbs and Brenda Rogers, his brother Kendrick (Trudy) Rogers, his cousins Jim (Denise) Story and Todd (Lanell) Story, his loyal friend Tony Dunn, his lab Daisy, who he called “Diddy’s Pup”, and many longtime faithful friends.
