Edward K. "Ned" Rogers

Published in the Los Angeles Times on 2/21/2008.

ROGERS, Edward K. Ned passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 12th, 2008, in Yucca Valley, at the age of 89. Ned was born in St. Louis, MO on July 24th, 1918, to Hazel and Eames B. Rogers. They soon after moved to Santa Monica, CA, where Ned attended and was a star athlete at McKinley, Lincoln, and Samohi schools.

After graduating in 1937, Ned turned down a scholarship offer to USC and chose instead to play professional baseball. He played for the Yankee organization from 1937 until he entered the Army in 1944, and was known as "Buck" Rogers.

After his honorable discharge in 1946, he went back to work for Lockheed Aircraft rather than return to baseball.

In October of 1939 he married Dorothy M. Hill at the Methodist Church in Santa Monica, and in 1941 they had the first of two sons. In 1974 Ned retired from Lockheed after 34 years of faithful service. He was very proud of the work he did and the role Lockheed played in the security of our Country.

Ned was an avid trout fisherman, and loved camping and fishing in the High Sierras.

Ned is survived by his two sons Patrick and Michael, their wives Gini and Wendy, and he had eight grandchildren, Stacey, Sean, Patrick, Ed, Erin, Shannon, Heather and Ryan, and three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Nicole, and Evelyn. Ned enjoyed tutoring young Ryan, an aspiring pitcher with great potential. Ned was an active member of the San Fernando Elks Lodge, and held leadership positions within the Lodge.

Ned was a wonderful, caring father and grandfather, and his great sense of humor lasted until his last moment.

Ned died with dignity, without complaint, and requested that no memorial service be held for him. He will live on for us in our fond memories, forever.