Rogers, Ted Earl

Ted Earl Rogers of Center Point, passed into a new life on Nov. 4, 2012, following a battle with cancer.

Ted was born to Joseph L. and Z. Ione (Swanlund) Rogers on July 29, 1947. He graduated from English Valleys Community School and attended Upper Iowa University on a football scholarship, graduating in 1969. On Aug. 1, 1969, he was united in marriage to Katherine Kurtz in North English. He began his teaching and coaching career two weeks later at Cedar Valley in Somers, went to NESCO in Zearing in 1971, and then in 1973 to Center Point, where he taught for 18 years and coached for 35.

In 1991, he was inducted into the Iowa Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Upper Iowa University Players Hall of Fame. In 2005, he was honored to have the playing field at Center Point-Urbana dedicated and recognized as Rogers Field. It was his wish to be present at his own visitation, so on Sept. 14, he led his former players onto Rogers Field to pass the torch on to the new generation of Pointers. A family inurnment will be held at a later date.

Ted is survived by his wife, Kathy; sons, Kelly (Hilary) and Joel (Angelique); brother, Lonnie (Shirley) Rogers; granddaughters, Brexlyn and Joah Rogers; mother-in-law, Evelyn Kurtz; sister and brother-in-law, Su (Doug) Wolrab; and many fellow coaches and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Joe and Ione Rogers; father-in-law, Wayne Kurtz; and sister-in-law, Judy Rogers.

A memorial fund will be established in his name.

Please leave a message or tribute to Ted's family on the Web page,

Published Nov. 5, 2012 in The Gazette