Obituary of Eldon Rogers

Rogers, Eldon A., 87, civil engineer and former president of Flintco, died peacefully on September 6, 2006. He was born November 15, 1918 in Knowles, Oklahoma the son of Dr. Charles L. and Zella (Alkire) Rogers. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Maribeth; daughter: Janice Rogers Nicklas; Grandson and his wife Dan and Cami Rogers; Granddaughter and her husband Kari Nicklas and Steven Bourland; granddaughter and her husband, Karen and Scott Tarwater; grandson, Peter Nicklas; great grandsons, Kobey Alkire and Alec Michael Rogers; great granddaughter, Hannah Nicole Tarwater; nephew, Charles Rogers, all of Tulsa and niece Louise Boyd James of Noble, OK. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Ned H. Rogers; sister, Lois Boyd of Norman; and brother Charles Rogers of Bartlesville, OK. Eldon started college at age 16 at the University of Oklahoma and graduated with honors with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1940. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi. He married Maribeth Smith in 1941. After serving in World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a Lt. Colonel, he moved to Tulsa in 1946. He retired from Flintco in 1985 after serving as the Chief Civil Engineer and President. He joined the First United Methodist Church in 1946, served on many committees and boards, and was an active member of the Joyner Sunday School for 50 years, also serving as their president. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Tulsa. In 1952, Eldon survived a severe case of Polio, and during the next 54 years of his life, he inspired all who had the pleasure of knowing him by his determination, courage, and ability with a hopeful spirit. Eldon will be remembered for his outstanding engineering skills in helping construct many of the buildings that define the downtown Tulsa skyline. But most of all, he will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Friends may call at the Ninde Woodland Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Sunday. The casket will be open in the Harrington Room at the church until 10:25 a.m. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 11 at the First United Methodist Church with interment in Memorial Park Cemetery. In Lieu of Flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Eldon's memory to the Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa, 16 E. 16th ST, Tulsa, OK 74119 or the First United Methodist Church, 1117 S. Boulder, Tulsa, OK 74119