John W. “Sonny” Rogers of Ravenna passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on September the 14th, 2022 at the age of 85. Sonny was born November 22, 1936 to Floyd and Mabel Watson Rogers on a farm in Cobhill, Kentucky. Sonny married his first love, Wanda Sparks Rogers, in the summer of 1958 and spent 64 years building a beautiful life with her. Sonny was a man of many trades but had the most pride in his blacktopping business that he owned and operated. He is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, and his son, whom he dedicated years caring for, Greg Rogers.
Sonny loved people and old cars. Even better, when he could talk to people about old cars. Short grocery trips could turn into hours long excursions due to him stopping to speak to everyone he met. Cancer did not slow him down or keep him from being social in his final years.
He spent the last stage of his life surrounded by his family. His wife, Wanda, a daughter, Sandy Rogers (Maggie Griffen), a son, Doug Rogers (Verna Rogers), 5 grandchildren, Paige Fugate, Jonathan Rogers (Ciairia Hall), Jacob Rogers (Anna Conley), Laura Rogers (Travis Howard), and Mariah Rogers, and 9 great grandchildren, Emilee, Nick, Cheyanna, Gabriel, Elijah, Magnolia, Evelyn, Millie, and AJ. He enjoyed visits from strangers, family, and friends all the same, especially his best friend and neighbor, Eddie (Rita) Chaney.
We will see Sonny in everything but mostly every time our car starts making a funny noise, when we see a box of honey buns, or when we look out over the family farm at the grounds he walked over all his life.
Sonny leaves a lifetime of stories and adventures behind to tell to the next generation. To honor him, we request that you keep telling those stories. Due to him being a lifelong friend of anything with 4 legs, the family also requests any monetary donations be made to Paws 4 the Cause out of Lexington, KY.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, September 17, 11 AM at the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Kenny Wasson officiating. Burial will be at the Mountain Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday from 6 to 9 PM at the Funeral Home.
Pallbearers: Jake Rogers, Jon Rogers, Eddie Chaney, Travis Howard, Phillip Anderson, Darrell Spencer, and Randall Sparks
Honorary Pallbearers: Willie Case, Paul Watson, and Jimmy Thacker