Jimmie Neal Rogers' Obituary
Jimmie Neal Rogers, a longtime and beloved University of Arkansas professor of communication and a nationally recognized scholar of American country music, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, at age 91, surrounded by his loving family.
Rogers graduated from McNeil High School and Southern State College, then began his teaching career as the debate coach at Byrd High School in Shreveport. After earning his Master of Arts from the University of Arkansas in 1966, he served as an Instructor there. He later earned his Ph.D. in communication from Florida State University. Rogers served 18 years as chair of the U of A Department of Communication, where he taught courses on country music messages, public speaking, political communication, American Public Address, research methods, contemporary communication theory, and parliamentary procedure.
He published extensively on the influence of country music on everything from popular culture to language and mental health. His praised work, "Images of Women as Indicated in the Messages of Loretta Lynn," appeared in Studies in Popular Culture, and his seminal book, The Country Music Message.
Rogers was a featured speaker for the Casey Forum Distinguished Lecture Series at McNeese State University, an invited lecturer at numerous other universities across the nation, and a featured speaker throughout Arkansas. He has been a speaker for multiple organizations, including the Arkansas Congressional delegation, local and state mental health organizations, the Country Music Conference in Mississippi, and many national and regional conferences.
Professor Rogers served as chair of the UA Press Committee and parliamentarian of the Campus Council. He was a member of the Arkansas Entertainers of the Hall of Fame Board and the State Historical Records Advisory Committee. He received the Graduate Teaching Award from the American Communication Association and the George C. Whatley Award. His research has been featured in various national publications, including the New York Times.
He developed a love of fishing in the farm ponds of Columbia County. He built his first pirogue in 1960 while teaching in Shreveport, a trusty vessel that lasted a lifetime and was once featured in a People Magazine article. He regularly caught his limit of bream at Bob Kidd Lake.
Rogers was a captivating storyteller. Together with his beloved wife, Jean, he welcomed family, friends, students, musicians, neighbors and politicians, including a future president into their home for fish fries, crawfish boils, and evenings filled with laughter and conversation.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jean R. Rogers, and his parents, Ernest and Maud Rogers. He is survived by his children, Barry N. Rogers (Patricia), Renee Vick (Rodney), and Robin Pendley (Pete); his grandchildren, Garrett N. Rogers (Hailey), Megan Pendley, Kristi Beers (Edward), Charley Adcock, and Jacob Adcock; and his great-grandchildren, Lawson N. Rogers, Wyatt Beers, Magnolia Youndblood, and Willow Youndblood. He is also survived by his sister, Jan Terrell (Larry), and nephew Gary Terrell.
A private family internment will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jimmie N. and Jean R. Rogers Award for Communication Excellence by mail to University of Arkansas Gift Administration, 481 South Shiloh Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72704; by phone at (479) 575-7970; or online at this link.
Jimmie N. and Jean R. Rogers Award for Communication Excellence
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