Mr. Donald Newton Rogers, 75, of Mocksville, died on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 after a long and difficult battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He was born Feb. 9, 1942 in Grinnell, Iowa to the late Clifford Newton and Grace Vanora Ragan Rogers. He attended Newton Community High School where he became an accomplished violinist and graduated valedictorian. He went on to attend Iowa State University where he was elected to Tau Beta Pi, an honorary engineering fraternity. He graduated with honors with a master’s degree in chemical engineering. He joined Humble (Exxon/Mobil) in the technical division in Baytown, Texas. He remained at Exxon/Mobil for his entire career of 38 years. During that time, he worked as a chemical engineer in the mathematics computing systems department. He held different positions and later worked as a computer programmer. He received recognition for no absences in 22 years due to illness or injury.  He continued to enjoy playing his violin and was a member of the Baytown Community Orchestra. He ​also served a three-year term on the executive board of the orchestra. He married Marcia Louise Knight on June 14, 1974, in Roseville, Minn. They ​were  married for 43 years. They made their home in Baytown, where they reared their three children.  During that time, he was active in the Alliance Bible Church. ​He​ taught Sunday school and served in the AWANA program. He ​was a volunteer judge for several years at science fairs at ​Baytown Christian Academy. He also ​volunteered as a ​tutor ​ for ​students  in science, math, ​and ​chemis​try. He enjoyed his family most of all and attended all of his children’s activities. He encouraged them in their college pursuits and was supportive. Some of his hobbies were reading, bowling, ​​playing the violin, fishing, ​and being a meticulous record keeper. He also enjoyed family camping trips and all family vacations. After he retired, he and ​Marcia  moved to Mocksville. He continued to work with children as a tutor and mentor. He volunteered at William R. Davie ​ Elementary School​ for several years until the Alzheimer’s disease ​ progressed​.

He was also preceded in death by a foster daughter, Marianne Rivard Ranfelt.

Survivors: his wife, Marcia; daughters, Lori Rogers of Greensboro and Sara Dean (Gregg) of Martinsville, Va.; son, Ryan Rogers (Katy) of Evergreen, Colo.; grandchildren, Oliver, Audrey, ​and ​Naomi Rogers of Evergreen, Victoria and Gavin Dean of Martinsville; brother-in-law, Douglas and sister-in-law, Lois Knight of Willmar, Minn.; nephew, Kristopher (Robin) Knight of  ​Scottsdale, Ariz.; and niece, Jennifer Knight​ Sjosten​ of ​ Edina​, Minn.

A funeral service will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9 at Eaton Funeral Chapel with Jerry Morrison officiating. The family will visit with friends an hour before the service.

Memorials: Alzheimer’s Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871; or Hospice/Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, 27405.

Condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.