Joe Wilbur Rogers

Joe Rogers, longtime Claremore resident, died peacefully on August 23rd, 2024, surrounded by those he loved. He was an independent, fearless, quiet man with a sparkle in his eye, a big grin, and a lover of practical jokes. Joe was the last of a breed of men who made deals on a handshake, whose word was always good, who worked from sun up to sundown 6 days a week without complaint. He never owed money and loved a bargain especially if it came from an auction. His best day was one spent working in his abundant garden, planning who to give the tomatoes to.

Raised on a dairy farm in Gentry, Arkansas by parents Joseph and Ester Rogers, he, along with his older sister Jo Nell, spent many hours amassing wild tales of their unbelievable adventures.

As a young man, he traveled to Denver, Colorado where his jobs included shoeing horses and donkeys, bull riding in rodeos, and caddying at Cherry Hills Country Club where he once carried the golf bag for President of the United States, Dwight Eisenhower. His western adventures through a Wyoming winter as a wrangler are stories of survival but also of the adventuresome spirit of the young Joe.

When he found himself in Tulsa in 1962, he met his wife, Eldrean, whom he loved at first sight. They quickly married and spent 42 happy years together until her death in 2004. He welcomed her four children, David, Dale, Darrel and Dennis Nickles into this world. He is also survived by his step son-in-law Fred Dietrich, and his most beloved dog, Coonee'.

During Joe's lifetime career as a welder and card carrying member of the Boilermakers Union, he was an independent contractor in the oil refinery business, often spending months on the road in rough cities which only Joe could survive. On the job, typical him, he was 'da man' who took the risks, climbing to the top of water towers or squeezing into small, high rafters to make a weld. He loved it.

A country man through and through, his surprising love of ballroom dancing was an extra gift in an already extraordinary life. Along with his dance partner, Dixie, he enjoyed all types of dancing from swing to tango for many years.

Joe would often say with a smile, "There's only two things that money can't buy and that's true love and home grown tomatoes." He was blessed with an abundance of both.

A memorial service will be held at MMS-Payne Funeral Home Chapel, 102 W. 5th Street, Claremore, OK 74017, on Thursday, August 29, at 2:00p.m.