Denzil Reed Rogers

Denzil Reed Rogers, age 95, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His family and his faith in Jesus Christ were the two things he treasured most in his life.

Denzil was born on October 2, 1926, in Morgan, Utah. He was the third child of seven born to Thomas Park Rogers and Verda Hulet Rogers. His early years were spent growing up in the Morgan County area. He learned to work hard and make ends meet growing up during the Depression. He played sports in high school and played the French horn in the band. World War II broke out while he was in high school and he wanted to join the war like his big brother, Thane. He was very patriotic. Right after graduating from Morgan High School, he joined the army. He served in the Philippines and ended up in Yokohama, Japan as a military policeman for two years. As horrible as the atomic bomb was, it saved his life. While serving in the army he sent his money home to help his family. Shortly after returning home from the war, he was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the East Central States Mission. This helped soften the hard effects of war and increase his love for the Savior and His Heavenly Father. After his mission, Denzil enrolled at the University of Utah and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He could fix just about anything and kept spare parts just in case he needed to fix something else.

While attending his mission reunion, he met the love of his life, Aline Freestone. They were married on July 19, 1950, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Together they raised six children and taught them to work hard and have faith in Jesus Christ. They were married for 62 years before she passed away. He could recite the years, months, and days that he was married to his sweetheart up to the time of his passing.

After graduating from the University of Utah, he went to work for Micro Switch in Freeport, Illinois. In 1956, he moved his family to Albuquerque, New Mexico to work for Sandia National Laboratories. He later worked for Kirtland Air Force Base as a data reduction specialist. While working at Kirtland, he received an award for saving the government millions of dollars. He also earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration. After 26 years, Denzil retired from Kirtland Air Force Base. He later worked for Martin Marietta maintaining and fixing postal machines all over the United States. In 1994, he fully retired.

Denzil served in several positions as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a Bishop and a counselor to several Bishops. Teaching the youth and young adults at church gave him a lot of joy. He coached the boys basketball teams, was a scoutmaster, and a Stake Clerk. Denzil was a scriptorian and could quote several scriptures by memory. A highlight of each week in his later years was studying the Sunday School lessons with his siblings on the phone. He loved working at the Family History Center and kept the computers working there. When the temple came to Albuquerque, he and Aline served as ordinance workers.

Denzil enjoyed music and had a song for everything... He would pull out his harmonica and play for his family and friends. Denzil liked hunting with his buddies and sons. He loved baseball and took time to coach all his boys on championship teams from Little League through American Legion. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren play. He bought a boat to share and enjoy with his family and the youth of his church. Denzil loved to hold babies and had a special talent to pat them asleep. He was a master at napping.

Denzil was preceded in death by his wife: Aline Freestone Rogers, his parents: Thomas Park and Verda Rogers, his siblings: Marnada Rogers, Thane Park Rogers (Marge), Aldine Leone Paskett, and Gaylene Brown, one daughter-in-law: Velein Tait Rogers, one great grandchild: Bryce M. Griffeth.

He is survived by his children and their spouses: Aurelia (Richard Marek), Denzil Randy (Traci), Angelia (Dallan Olson), Doreen (Robert Griffeth), Ronan Reed, and Thayer P. (Alison), 34 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by two siblings: Dawna Joy Woodward and Thomas Dee Rogers

Denzil's family is grateful to his many caretakers for their kindness and help that allowed him to stay in his home. We appreciate his church ward family who loved him and always checked on him. It was a blessing for our dad to have his two granddaughters, Hannah and Tabitha, and their families, to care, serve, and be there for our father over the past 10 years. To our sister, Aurelia, and her husband, Richard, we are grateful for their medical expertise in caring for our parents. To our brother, Thayer, we are grateful for him ensuring our dad's financial and health care security in his declining years.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 10th, at 10:30 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 4109 Eubank Blvd. NE in Albuquerque. A viewing for family and friends will be from 9:30 am - 10:15 am prior to the service at the church. Interment will take place at the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, 924 Menaul Blvd NE in Albuquerque. To view the service online, please click HERE .

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to The Church of Jesus Christ Humanitarian Fund whose goal is to relieve suffering, foster self-reliance, and provide opportunities for service. This fund provides relief to people around the globe without regard to race, religious affiliation, or nationality. These funds go directly to helping people without administrative fees: Give to Humanitarian Services . Donations can also be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary Fund: Missionary Fund .