Jerry William Rogers

Dr. Jerry William Rogers, age 93, died Friday, June 13th , 2025, in Starkville, MS. The funeral service will be Thursday, June 19th , at 11:00 am, at the Starkville church of Christ, 613 East Lee Blvd., Starkville, MS. Minister Jeremy Stewart will officiate. Visitation will be at the church building one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Memorial Garden Park.

Dr. Rogers was born on October 28, 1931, in Iowa Park, TX to the late Bartley and Hazel Rogers. Jerry was a graduate of Iowa Park High School, Iowa Park, TX. He received his B.S.E.E. degree from Texas Tech Univ., M.E. degree from Texas A&M Univ., and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Auburn Univ. Jerry served as professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Mississippi State University for 30 years, retiring in 1996.

On June 14th , 1953, Jerry married Barbara Entrekin. They were happily married for 66 years. Jerry was a devoted husband to Barbara, father to three children, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. He lovingly cared for Barbara during her later years. 

Jerry served his country courageously in the U.S Navy during the Korean conflict, during which he developed an early interest in his eventual Electrical Engineering career.

Dr. Rogers spent his career as a professor in the Electrical Engineering Department at Mississippi State University. During his tenure, he was instrumental in developing the departmental Computer Engineering component. During the summer months, he often conducted research with other agencies and organizations including NSA, NASA, NSF, U.S. Army, USAF-ASEE, Texas Instruments, and Auburn University. He retired from the ECE Department after 30 years of service in teaching, research, and outreach. Jerry was a true-maroon Bulldog, supporting MSU Bulldog sports including tennis, football, basketball, and baseball.

Jerry was a faithful and dedicated member, servant, and spiritual leader of the Starkville church of Christ, serving as a Deacon, then for 34 years as an Elder. Among other areas of work in the church, he helped establish and worked closely with the University Christian Student Center and later was instrumental in establishing the church’s first Youth Ministry program. Jerry taught ministerial students at Magnolia Bible College and served in the mission fields of Honduras and Poland.

Perhaps Jerry’s greatest contribution was simply being a good-hearted, Christian man and example to all of those around him. Through his loving, caring spirit, he coached, taught, mentored, studied with, and freely gave time to his church, family, students, and country. 

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Rogers; daughter, Karen Rogers Young; great grandson, Weston Rogers Stewart; brothers, Wayne; Bartley, Jr.; Tom; Robert; and James; and sisters, Ilene McCoy; Lela Mercer; Patsy Cope; Christina Galleher; and Shari Camp.

Survivors include children; Teresa Rogers Stewart (Dean Stewart, son-in-law), Mark Rogers, and (Kenny Young, son-in-law); grandchildren; Corley Clark, Christy Cheek, Jeremy Stewart, Ryan Young, and Kaitlin Young; ten great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be provided to the Starkville church of Christ, 613 East Lee Blvd, Starkville, MS 39759, or charitable gifts may be given to The Alzheimer’s Association.