Colonel James "Buddy" Giles Rogers

Colonel (Retired) James “Buddy” Rogers, a proud veteran of the United States Army, passed away peacefully at The Margaret Z. Dozier Hospice House on March 29, 2024. Buddy was born on March 8, 1935, in Houston, Texas, to the late Samuel B. and Wilhelmena Byrd Rogers. Buddy met the love of his life, Peggy Nelson, at Florida State University. They were married on August 31, 1957, and they were blessed with two daughters and one son. Buddy enlisted in the United States Army on March 4, 1958. He valued this service highly and attained the rank of Colonel before retiring on August 1, 1986. As part of his service, he served in the Congo, Vietnam, Germany, and Iran, and I’m sure there were many others, but you know the saying, “He could tell us, but then he’d have to dispose of us." He received a Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Ribbons (2), Army Service Ribbons, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Commendation with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, meritorious service medal, Legion of Merit, and Joint Service Commendation Medal. Buddy enjoyed playing bridge with Peggy, and other service members and their wives, playing golf, watching FSU football and baseball, and hunting and fishing with Peggy, his children, and other family members. Buddy’s chain of command was God, family, and then his service to the United States. He is survived by his daughter, Sally Holland, son, Jeff (Debbie), daughter Sandra Rogers, 3 granddaughters (Michelle Holland, Heather Barnes (Mitchell), Shannon Powell, 1 grandson, Bradley Sykes (Mary), 1 step-granddaughter, Trishka Sales, 1 step-grandson, Shane Powell, 6 great grandchildren and 5 step-grandchildren. He is further survived by one brother, Sam Rogers, and one sister, Elsie Rogers, as well as many nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends. In addition to his mother and father, Buddy was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Rogers, one sister in-law, Mary Margaret Rogers, and 3 brother in-laws, Edwin Blanton, Terry Nelson, Jerry Nelson, 1 father in-law, Howard Nelson, 1 mother in-law, Florence Nelson, 1 son in-law, Jon Holland, and 1 great nephew, Brooks Rogers. Thank you to the staff at Hospice for the care and compassion provided to Buddy and his family, and thank you to Elsie and Debbie for their time, help, and assistance with Buddy’s caregiving at the home. There’s a huge emptiness in our hearts and daily lives after first losing our mother in October and now our father in March, but there is also some joy as we know they have been reunited, they’re both free of pain, and dancing away in each other’s arms as they did when first meeting and throughout their marriage. A celebration of life will be held graveside for Buddy at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 5th at the Tallahassee National Cemetery. Dayne Parker of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

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Colonel James "Buddy" Giles Rogers

March 8, 1935 - March 29, 2024