JT passed away suddenly in his home on May 31, 2011, at the age of 74. He was born in San Saba, Texas, to Magnolia and Phillip Rogers, who preceded him in death. He became a resident of Oxnard when he was seven years old. JT was a licensed general contractor and plumbing contractor and established JT Rogers Plumbing Co. in 1966. Although he retired in 1995, he was still a fixture at the office and always had a project working at his home. JT started coaching his sons in youth football in 1966 and he never stopped.

Coach TJ was the patriarch of youth football in Ventura County. He is a true county legend. His passion and wisdom for the game of football will live on through the many lives he has touched. He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have been blessed to have met and learned from Coach. He taught us to respect football and to always continue to improve our knowledge of it. He was a mentor to many of the youth and high school coaches in the county. He had no loyalty to any particular group, organization, or school. His loyalty was to the game and to anyone willing to learn it. His two favorite things were family and football. When these two merged he was at his happiest.

JTis survived by his wife of 53 years, Sharon; sons, JT Jr. (Melissa) and Kyle (Fawn); daughter, Denise; grandchildren, Shari, Jacob (Erin), Reina, Mitchell, and Colt; great-granddaughters, McKenzie and Hailey; sister, Linda Sharon (Roger); former daughter-in-law, Stephanie; and a host of extended family and friends.

The memorial service was at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 5, at St. Bonaventure High School Gymnasium. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Coach JT Rogers Sr. Scholarship Fund to benefit players at the North Oxnard Warriors Youth Football program at Chase Bank, 3498 Telegraph Rd., Ventura, CA 93003; 805-644-1885.