Obituaries

Jimmie “Jim” Edward Rogers, age 79, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at his home with loved ones by his side, following a courageous three-and-a-half-year battle with lung cancer and dementia. He was born June 11, 1946, in Sault Ste. Marie, to Roy Monroe Rogers Sr. and Elva “Mildred” Storey.

Jim grew up in Bruce Township and graduated from Sault Area High School with the Class of 1964. Following high school, he worked for a short time at Ford in Ypsilanti before being drafted into the United States Army. He served honorably from January 18, 1966, to December 5, 1967.
After returning home from military service, Jim met and married Donna Arnott on August 2, 1968. He relocated to Rapid River and spent two years working at Mead Corporation in Escanaba before returning to the Sault, where he began a 43-year career as a truck driver. He retired from Ken Graham Trucking in 2010. Following retirement, Jim and Donna purchased a motor home and spent some time during their summers and falls traveling throughout the United States and Canada with their dogs.

Jim was everybody’s friend and embodied the qualities of a calm and caring individual, demonstrating unwavering dedication to his family. His interests included woodworking and creating intricate projects inspired by things that caught his eye. Every weekend, he could be found on the farm helping his boys with farming, fixing tractors, and repairing equipment. Haymaking season held special significance for him, and he contributed greatly to the restoration of hay barns in Bruce Township. He enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening and loved animals, especially his cats and dogs. He also truly enjoyed searching through old items, especially at salvage yards, to find things he could repurpose or turn into something new. Jim’s strong work ethic and creative thinking were hallmarks of his character.

Jim’s memory will be cherished by his loving wife, Donna; children, Daniel (Maryann) Rogers of Pickford, Michigan, Kami (Robert) Love of Rudyard, Michigan, and Kory Rogers of Sault Ste. Marie; grandchildren, Kaylee Avery (Justin Savoie), Kody Avery, Kole Avery (Mady Michalski), Adrienne (Nick) Lounds, Koryn Rogers and Emmitt Rogers; great-grandchildren, Dominique Rogers, Rody Lounds and Kylee Savoie; two step-grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren; siblings, Jean (Timothy) Foley of Cheboygan, Michigan, George (Arlene) Rogers of Brimley, Michigan, Nancy Streeter of Sault Ste. Marie, Debbie (John Cook) McCaig of White River, Ontario and Penny Rogers of Sault Ste. Marie; and several nieces and great nieces.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Monroe Rogers Sr. and Elva “Mildred” Storey; brother, Roy Rogers Jr.; and brother-in-law, Brian Marquette.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 8, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Family Life Funeral Homes, 4951 S. M-129, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. The Funeral Service will begin at 12:00 PM, with a Military Graveside Service with full honors at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township, Michigan. Following the Graveside Service, family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life and meal at Bruce Township Hall to share memories and honor Jim’s life.

The Rogers family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the Home Health Nurses with Residential Home Health and to the Sault Ste. Marie Veteran Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic staff for the compassionate care shown to Jim.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Memorial Donations be made in Jim’s name to the Chippewa County Animal Shelter, 3660 S. Mackinac Trail, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.