Jimmy Rogers, Jr

Jimmy Rogers, 82, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 6, at Archbold Living in Camilla. James William Rogers, Jr. was born at Phoebe Hospital in Albany on May 16, 1943, the only child to James William and Elizabeth Smith Rogers. A lifelong resident of Pelham, Jimmy was known throughout South Georgia and North Florida as an acoustical genius. His knowledge and passion for electronics was evident to anyone who knew him. Rogers worked at his television and appliance repair shop in Pelham which had been started by his father before him. However, he didn’t limit his gifts to that alone. Over several decades, Jimmy worked with hundreds of plays, programs, and pageants throughout the region coordinating lighting and sound. In the 1970’s he began working in this capacity regularly with the Mitchell County Little Theater and in 1984 he began a long and close relationship with Thomasville on Stage and Company (TOSAC), even serving for a time on their Board of Directors. Known for his generosity, Jimmy volunteered to coordinate the sound and television ministry program of Hand Memorial United Methodist Church in Pelham for over 30 years; something he continued to do until his health prohibited it last year. For many years, Jimmy also ran the projection rooms for both the Pelham Park Theater and the Gateway Cinema in Thomasville. Other long-term work relationships Jimmy cultivated included 40 years with the Rose City Run in Thomasville and decades of service to Pelham Rotary Club’s GRSP International Weekend. If there was any public event in Pelham or surrounding areas, Jimmy was there and responsible for anything to do with sound and lighting. His devotion to his hometown resulted in the Pelham Chamber of Commerce recognizing him as Citizen of the Year in 1993. Jimmy attended Pelham High School and graduated in 1961. He maintained close relationships with his classmates and attended many of their reunions. He also attended Georgia Southwestern College in Americus, GA. The demands of his work required that he hire employees to help with moving equipment, setting up sound, lighting and more. Over the years, many of his employees maintained a close relationship with Jimmy. An avid bicyclist, he even included them in the 1990’s on more than one Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG). Jimmy was often seen in Pelham riding back and forth to his shop on his bike. When Jimmy’s health started to limit his activities, he began working at S&L Integrated in Thomasville which was started by one of his former employees. He continued to work there until last year. Jimmy is survived by his cousins Susan (Gordon) Mills, Peachtree City, GA; Wallace (Meg) Rogers, Canton, GA, Dennis (Judy) Rogers, Rome, GA; Patricia Rogers Whittington, Moultrie, GA, Mary Helen (Randy) Dunlap, North Carolina. Jimmy is also survived by many friends and neighbors who he considered family and who took care of him during his illness and passing. A service of celebration of Jimmy’s life will be held at Hand Memorial United Methodist Church in Pelham on Wednesday, July 16 th at 10am. There will be time of visitation immediately following the service. Memorial Donations may be made to Hand Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 424, Pelham, GA 31779 and Thomasville On Stage and Company, P.O. Box 6339, Thomasville, GA 31758. Willis-Jamerson-Braswell Funeral Home, Pelham