Tommie Lee Rogers

Tommie Lee Rogers of Durham, NC died peacefully of complications from a stroke on July 24, 2023 at the Jim and Betsy Bryan Hospice Home in Pittsboro. Tommie was born in Kinston, NC on November 20, 1942. He grew up in Saratoga, NC and graduated from NC State University. He worked as an engineer for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Corp in Hartford, Connecticut for four years, and while working there he received a Master’s Degree in Applied Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He then moved back to his home state where he worked as a manager for the National Computer Center of the Environmental Protection Agency in RTP until his retirement.

Tommie was a private pilot and loved all things related to aircraft. He was the president of the local Experimental Aircraft Association for many years, and built his own airplane from a kit. He and his wife enjoyed traveling in their motorhome to air shows in Florida and Wisconsin, as well as taking extended trips all over the country. Tommie could build and repair almost anything, and he and his wife together built their second home on Kerr Lake.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ann Bennett Rogers; son Bennett Rogers and wife Sally of Boston, MA and Stowe, VT; son Alan Rogers and wife Yuka, with grandsons Kent, Julian, and Griffin of Tokyo, Japan; and furbaby-rescues Bentley and Sophie. He was predeceased by his parents, Loy and Christine Rogers, sister Dianne Rogers Gay, and many much-loved Boston terriers. He is also survived by brother-in-law Harvey Gay, niece Heather Meier (husband Eric), nephew Aaron Gay (wife Rebecca), and their children.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. If you would like to be notified, please send an email to TommieRogersCelebration@Gmail.com.