Funeral Program 2
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A CELEBRATION OF LIFE<br />
FOR<br />
Ronald Orin Rogers<br />
ALPHA<br />
March 18, 1951<br />
OMEGA<br />
December 1, 2020
A Life’s Journey<br />
A Legacy of Character, Strength, and Faith...<br />
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth is there laid up for me a crown<br />
of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them<br />
also that love his appearing.<br />
– 2 Timothy 4:7-8<br />
Ronald Orin Rogers<br />
Ronald Orin Rogers was born on March 18, 1951, in Orlando, Florida to Melvin and Ruth Rogers,<br />
whom have preceded him in death. He attended Washington Shores Elementary School and was<br />
a member of the 1969 graduation class of Jones High School. At an early age, he dedicated his<br />
life to Christ. He was a lifetime member of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, Orlando,<br />
Florida. Ronald graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University with a Bachelor<br />
of Science degree in Political Science. During his time on “the hill,” he became a member of Alpha<br />
Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. He then moved to Atlanta, Georgia to attend Georgia Institute<br />
of Technology. Ronald also completed an advanced postgraduate study at Harvard University.<br />
Upon returning to the Orlando area, Ronald was a city administrator with the Town of Eatonville,<br />
Florida, the oldest Black Incorporated Municipality in the United States. During his tenure, the<br />
Town of Eatonville experienced unprecedented growth and development. After working with<br />
various civil engineering firms, he started Ronald O. Rogers & Associates; a business development<br />
and management firm specializing in business development, market penetration, community<br />
relations, planning, and coordination of community outreach and involvement. The Orlando<br />
Business Journal named Ronald a “Businessman to Watch” in the twenty (20) most up and coming<br />
Influential Businessmen in Central Florida.<br />
Over the years, Ronald served on several boards of civic and community organizations. He<br />
served on the first Orange County, Florida Charter Review Commission, which brought singlemember<br />
commission districts to Orange County. This commission encouraged the election of<br />
African American representation. He was appointed by the governor to the Valencia Community<br />
College Board of Trustees. Other appointments included the Ninth Judicial Circuit Nominating<br />
Commission; Leadership Orlando (1978); past chairman of the Florida A&M University College<br />
of Law - Board of Visitors; past member of the United Way Board of Directors; past chairman-<br />
Citrus Club of Orlando Board of Governors; past member of the Visit Orlando Board of Directors;<br />
and past member of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Executive Board;<br />
past Chairman of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. Ronald also<br />
was one of twenty-five (25) citizens appointed to serve on a Blue-Ribbon Panel for Education to
assess the Orange County School System. He was appointed by the Mayor of the City of Orlando<br />
to serve on the Mayor’s Violence Prevention Task Force; the Central Florida Transportation<br />
Corridors “Task Force”; The Orange County Library System Board of Directors; past director –<br />
Bill Dickey National Golf Tournament Board of Directors; Orange County (MMRB) Nominating<br />
Board; University of Central Florida Commencement Speaker. He was most notably Chairman<br />
Emeritus of 100 Black Men of Greater Orlando, Inc.<br />
Ronald received numerous awards and honors. He most notably received the coveted “Star<br />
Award” from the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Visit Orlando) for<br />
fostering the promotion of African-American Tourism in Central Florida; the Jones High School<br />
“Legacy Award” for outstanding service to the community; the Town of Eatonville - Dr. Martin<br />
Luther King, Jr. Freedom Award; ONYX Magazine – Public Service Award; Central State Minority<br />
Contractors - Outstanding Service Award; The Greater Orlando Florida A&M University Alumni<br />
Association Presidents Award; the Orlando Minority Youth Golf Association (OMYGA) – Award of<br />
Appreciation, and The Links, Incorporated 45th Southern Area Conference Civic Award Honoree.<br />
He was the recipient of the 2008 Orange County Community Action Agency “Humanitarian of<br />
the Year,” award; Orange County Chapter – National Alumni Association of Bethune-Cookman<br />
University Award of Appreciation; Legacy Magazine’s 100 Most influential African Americans in<br />
Central Florida; and recently recognized for support of the Bethune-Cookman University Orange<br />
County Wildcat Booster Club.<br />
Ronald leaves to celebrate his legacy: aunt – Altamese K. White; sisters – Dr. Janice R. Choice and<br />
Debra A. Rogers; niece – Dr. Jeresia L. Choice; cousins – Barbara E. White, Jeannell L. Walden, and<br />
Joselynne W. Forde (Colin); his best friend since Washington Shores Elementary School – The<br />
Honorable Belvin Perry, Jr. (LaDrean); close friends – Paul Snead, Jr. (Cora), Brenda Thompson,<br />
and Sharon K. Jackson; and extended family, friends, and acquaintances over the years.
HOUSE OF ALPHA<br />
By Bro. Sidney P. Brown<br />
GOODWILL is the monarch of this house<br />
Men, unacquainted, enter, shake hands,<br />
exchange greetings, and depart friends.<br />
Cordiality exists among all who abide within.<br />
I am the eminent expression of friendship.<br />
Character and temperament change under my dominant power.<br />
Lives, once touched by me become tuned,<br />
and are thereafter, amiable, kindly, fraternal.<br />
I inspire the musician to play noble sentiments,<br />
and assist the chemist to convert ungenerous personalities<br />
into individuals of great worth.<br />
I destroy all ignoble impulses.<br />
I constantly invoke principles which make for common brotherhood,<br />
and the echo resounds in all communities,<br />
and princely men are thereby recognized.<br />
Education, health, music, encouragement, sympathy, laughter:<br />
All these are species of interest given of self-invested capital.<br />
Tired moments find me a delightful treat,<br />
Hours of sorrow a shrine of understanding,<br />
At all times I am faithful to the creed of companionship.<br />
To a few I am the Castle of Dreams,<br />
Ambitious, successful, hopeful dreams.<br />
To many, I am the Poetic Palace<br />
where human feeling is rhymed to celestial motives.<br />
To the great majority,<br />
I am the Treasury of Good Fellowship.<br />
In fact, I am the College of Friendship;<br />
The University of Brotherly Love;<br />
The School for the Better Making of Men.<br />
I AM ALPHA PHI ALPHA!
Order of Celebration<br />
Saturday, December 5, 2020 | 10:00 AM<br />
Jones High School<br />
James W. “Chief ” Wilson Auditorium<br />
801 S. Rio Grande Avenue | Orlando, Florida 32805<br />
Pastor Willie C. Barnes, Officiating<br />
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church<br />
Processional...........................................................................................................................Clergy & Family<br />
“We’ve Come This Far By Faith”<br />
Invocation................................................................................................................ Father Nelson W. Pinder<br />
Rector Emeritus, The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist<br />
Scripture Readings<br />
Old Testament – Ecclesiastes 3:1-11................................................... Reverend Dr. Robert M. Spooney<br />
Pastor, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Institutional Church<br />
New Testament – John 14:1-6......................................................................................Dr. J. Roy Morrison<br />
Lead Pastor, Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church<br />
Musical Selection of Inspiration............................................................................Darrell Moody and Co.<br />
Reflections<br />
As a Friend....................................................................................................................... Mr. Paul Snead, Jr.<br />
As a National Officer of 100 Black Men of America, Inc.................... Mr. Albert E. Dotson. Jr., Esq.<br />
As a Co-Worker....................................................................................................... Dr. Brenda Thompson<br />
As a Friend...................................................................................................... The Honorable Belvin Perry<br />
Resolutions and Acknowledgements...........................................................................Ms. Gaye Simpkins<br />
Musical Selection of Inspiration............................................................................Darrell Moody and Co.<br />
Words of Comfort.........................................................................................Reverend Dr. Randolph Bracy<br />
Founder, New Covenant Baptist Church<br />
Recessional.............................................................................................................................Clergy & Family<br />
“Going Up Yonder”<br />
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not<br />
suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy<br />
keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from<br />
all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.<br />
– Psalm 121 KJV
IN LOVING MEMORY OF<br />
Ronald Orin Rogers
Honorary Pallbearers<br />
The Honorable Belvin Perry / Mr. Paul Snead, Jr. / Mr. Karl Brown<br />
Mr. Michael Beale / Mr. Donny Peña / Mr. James Barker / Mr. Dick Batchelor<br />
Oley’s Sunday Morning Breakfast Crew<br />
Active Pallbearers<br />
100 Black Men of Greater Orlando, Inc.<br />
Flower Attendants<br />
The Orlando Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated<br />
The Orlando Chapter of The Links, Incorporated<br />
The Ladies of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church<br />
Jones High School Class of 1969<br />
Acknowledgements<br />
The family of the late Ronald Orin Rogers, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to<br />
everyone who gave of themselves during this difficult time. Thank you for your prayers, visits,<br />
phone calls, flowers, contributions, food, and other acts of kindness during our bereavement.<br />
They will forever be remembered. May God continue to shine his blessings upon you.<br />
– The Family<br />
Services Entrusted To<br />
Mitchell’s <strong>Funeral</strong> Home<br />
Directors<br />
“The Home That Faith and Service Built”<br />
501 Fairvilla Road | Orlando, Florida 32808 | (407) 298-0703<br />
www.mitchellsfuneralhome.com<br />
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