John Rogers, Former Lo Que Pasa Editor, Dies at 74

Dec. 7, 1999



by Jennifer Katleman
LQP Reporter

Friends say they will remember John Rogers, the former editor of Lo Que Pasa who recently died at age 74, for his brilliance and wit.

Rogers edited the University's faculty and staff newspaper, from mid-1981 through early 1984, when he took early retirement. He came to UA's News Services after supervising the copy desk at The Arizona Daily Star from 1978 to 1981.

''In many ways, he was the finest editor I have ever worked with. I learned from him consistently,'' said John Peck, a former managing editor at the Star.

Throughout his career, Rogers maintained uncompromising principles and professionalism. '' John demanded a tremendous amount from colleagues. But he never demanded more than he was willing to give himself,'' said Peck, who worked on the copy desk when Rogers was the copy chief.

On Dec. 12, family and friends gathered for a private tribute to Rogers' life. His favorite opera arias, and possibly bagpipes, will be played at the tribute.

At his wishes, Rogers' ashes will be scattered at his favorite golf course, Randolph North, said longtime friend Mildred Holesapple.

She recalled how Rogers, an avid golfer, sank a hole in one on the 11th hole at Randolph South on July 14, 1989, a few hours after being diagnosed with cancer.

Rogers would battle prostate cancer, heart troubles and lung cancer for much of his final years. Despite his failing health, Rogers kept his sense of humor, Holesapple said.

"He was probably one of the wittiest men I've ever known,'' she said. "Even when he was in pain, he would make light of the situation. The nurses and aides flocked around him in the hospital because he was so funny."

Rogers was born in Vicksburg, Miss. He served in the Army in World War II, receiving a Bronze Star and Purple Heart as an infantry squad leader and platoon sergeant in European operations.

He was a graduate of the University of Mississippi, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. He also attended the Sorbonne in Paris and the University of Strasbourg in France.

Rogers served in the Army in World War II, receiving a Bronze Star and Purple Heart as an infantry squad leader and platoon sergeant in European operations. He went on to work for the European edition of The Stars and Stripes and the Houston Post.

In 1961, Rogers joined the Denver Post as a copy editor. He won the Denver Newspaper Guild's McWilliams Award in 1962 for his coverage of racial strife at the University of Mississippi.

He received the National Conference of Christians and Jews Award in 1963 for his coverage of the racial upheaval in Birmingham, Ala., during the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s integration campaign.

He was promoted in 1964 to assistant editor of the Post's Empire Magazine. In 1970, Rogers became the paper's managing editor, a postition he held until 1977.

In recent years, Rogers regularly played golf with his friends and met his old journalism colleagues for lunch at the Big A Restaurant near the University.

"He was such a remarkable person. His friends will miss him desperately," Holesapple said.

Rogers, who died Nov. 21, is survived by a daughter, Michelle Minatta of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; a son, Mark Rogers of Aurora, Colo.; his sister, Jean Cooper of Lakewood, Colo.; and three grandchildren.



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