Gordon Francis Rodgers

I was born in Los Angeles, California on August 4, 1930. My parents were Ethel June Wright and Russell Francis Rodgers (both deceased). I was born during the depression in California, but have lived all but a year and a half of my life in Salt Lake City. I grew up in the Sugarhouse area during my youth, swimming and playing baseball at Fairmont Park and playing with many friends from the neighborhood. I attended Forrest Elementary, Irving Junior High and graduated from South High in 1947. I started working at Sheffield's Market, the neighborhood grocery store, when I was twelve for 50 cents an hour and continued in the grocery business until being called on my mission. I was nineteen when I received a call to serve a two year mission in the Western States Mission with headquarters in Denver, Colorado.

Shortly after returning home from my mission I married Sally Lou Fisher in the Salt Lake Temple. We have seven wonderful children; Christyn Gail Bowler (Paul), Steven Francis Rodgers (Tammy), Annette Ruth Fernandez, Richard Fisher Rodgers (Cari), Rebecca Wright Rodgers, Jeffrey Calvert Rodgers (deceased-1988) and Jennifer Joy Carbone (Courtland). Sally and I divorced in 1975 after being married 20 years.

I married Charlene Gay Johnson in 1976. We had one precious daughter, Elizabeth Ann Smith (Pride). We divorced in 1984 after 8 years of marriage. I married Colleen Ida Murphy in 1985. We divorced in 2006 after 21 years of marriage.

While we were both serving as service missionaries in the Family History Library, I met and married Carol Joyce Caughlin. We were married on October 13, 2010 by my good friend and bishop, Bishop Young. Exactly seven years later, on October 13, 2017 we were sealed for time and all eternity in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.

My father and mother were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but were not active members during my lifetime. When my sister, Phyllis June Jeffs (deceased) and I were young my parents frequently sent us to church on Sunday, which was a blessing to both of us.

Our family would spend two weeks in July camping and fishing on the Smith-Morehouse River east of Oakley, Utah. My parents later built a cabin (by themselves) near where we had camped during those wonderful summers. The cabin is still being enjoyed by the family today. During my life-time I have enjoyed softball, basketball, fly fishing and all kinds of hunting, especially with my sons and grandsons. During my life I have worked in banking, purchasing, sales, sales management and home repair. I retired when I was 64 and started my own business which I ran for 12 years before finally retiring for good.

Since serving my mission to the Western States, I have been an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all my adult life. I have had the privilege of serving in many stake and ward callings. I have also served three service missions and as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple and as an ordinance worker with my dear wife Carol in the Jordan River Temple. Both Carol and I have enjoyed working together doing genealogy and temple work for our ancestors.

In leaving this life, I can honestly say that I have been very blessed throughout my whole life.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the River Ridge 8th Ward (1409 W. Shields Lane, South Jordan, UT 84095). A viewing will be held prior from 9:30 to 10:45 AM prior. Interment to follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens (1950 E. 10600 S. Sandy, UT 84092). To watch services live or the recording please click the "Watch Services" button above.