Funeral Program 2

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
FOR
Ronald Orin Rogers
ALPHA
March 18, 1951
OMEGA
December 1, 2020

A Life’s Journey
A Legacy of Character, Strength, and Faith...
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
of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them
also that love his appearing.
– 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Ronald Orin Rogers
Ronald Orin Rogers was born on March 18, 1951, in Orlando, Florida to Melvin and Ruth Rogers,
whom have preceded him in death. He attended Washington Shores Elementary School and was
a member of the 1969 graduation class of Jones High School. At an early age, he dedicated his
life to Christ. He was a lifetime member of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, Orlando,
Florida. Ronald graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University with a Bachelor
of Science degree in Political Science. During his time on “the hill,” he became a member of Alpha
Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. He then moved to Atlanta, Georgia to attend Georgia Institute
of Technology. Ronald also completed an advanced postgraduate study at Harvard University.
Upon returning to the Orlando area, Ronald was a city administrator with the Town of Eatonville,
Florida, the oldest Black Incorporated Municipality in the United States. During his tenure, the
Town of Eatonville experienced unprecedented growth and development. After working with
various civil engineering firms, he started Ronald O. Rogers & Associates; a business development
and management firm specializing in business development, market penetration, community
relations, planning, and coordination of community outreach and involvement. The Orlando
Business Journal named Ronald a “Businessman to Watch” in the twenty (20) most up and coming
Influential Businessmen in Central Florida.
Over the years, Ronald served on several boards of civic and community organizations. He
served on the first Orange County, Florida Charter Review Commission, which brought singlemember
commission districts to Orange County. This commission encouraged the election of
African American representation. He was appointed by the governor to the Valencia Community
College Board of Trustees. Other appointments included the Ninth Judicial Circuit Nominating
Commission; Leadership Orlando (1978); past chairman of the Florida A&M University College
of Law - Board of Visitors; past member of the United Way Board of Directors; past chairman-
Citrus Club of Orlando Board of Governors; past member of the Visit Orlando Board of Directors;
and past member of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Executive Board;
past Chairman of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. Ronald also
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
to serve on the Mayor’s Violence Prevention Task Force; the Central Florida Transportation
Corridors “Task Force”; The Orange County Library System Board of Directors; past director –
Bill Dickey National Golf Tournament Board of Directors; Orange County (MMRB) Nominating
Board; University of Central Florida Commencement Speaker. He was most notably Chairman
Emeritus of 100 Black Men of Greater Orlando, Inc.
Ronald received numerous awards and honors. He most notably received the coveted “Star
Award” from the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Visit Orlando) for
fostering the promotion of African-American Tourism in Central Florida; the Jones High School
“Legacy Award” for outstanding service to the community; the Town of Eatonville - Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. Freedom Award; ONYX Magazine – Public Service Award; Central State Minority
Contractors - Outstanding Service Award; The Greater Orlando Florida A&M University Alumni
Association Presidents Award; the Orlando Minority Youth Golf Association (OMYGA) – Award of
Appreciation, and The Links, Incorporated 45th Southern Area Conference Civic Award Honoree.
He was the recipient of the 2008 Orange County Community Action Agency “Humanitarian of
the Year,” award; Orange County Chapter – National Alumni Association of Bethune-Cookman
University Award of Appreciation; Legacy Magazine’s 100 Most influential African Americans in
Central Florida; and recently recognized for support of the Bethune-Cookman University Orange
County Wildcat Booster Club.
Ronald leaves to celebrate his legacy: aunt – Altamese K. White; sisters – Dr. Janice R. Choice and
Debra A. Rogers; niece – Dr. Jeresia L. Choice; cousins – Barbara E. White, Jeannell L. Walden, and
Joselynne W. Forde (Colin); his best friend since Washington Shores Elementary School – The
Honorable Belvin Perry, Jr. (LaDrean); close friends – Paul Snead, Jr. (Cora), Brenda Thompson,
and Sharon K. Jackson; and extended family, friends, and acquaintances over the years.

HOUSE OF ALPHA
By Bro. Sidney P. Brown
GOODWILL is the monarch of this house
Men, unacquainted, enter, shake hands,
exchange greetings, and depart friends.
Cordiality exists among all who abide within.
I am the eminent expression of friendship.
Character and temperament change under my dominant power.
Lives, once touched by me become tuned,
and are thereafter, amiable, kindly, fraternal.
I inspire the musician to play noble sentiments,
and assist the chemist to convert ungenerous personalities
into individuals of great worth.
I destroy all ignoble impulses.
I constantly invoke principles which make for common brotherhood,
and the echo resounds in all communities,
and princely men are thereby recognized.
Education, health, music, encouragement, sympathy, laughter:
All these are species of interest given of self-invested capital.
Tired moments find me a delightful treat,
Hours of sorrow a shrine of understanding,
At all times I am faithful to the creed of companionship.
To a few I am the Castle of Dreams,
Ambitious, successful, hopeful dreams.
To many, I am the Poetic Palace
where human feeling is rhymed to celestial motives.
To the great majority,
I am the Treasury of Good Fellowship.
In fact, I am the College of Friendship;
The University of Brotherly Love;
The School for the Better Making of Men.
I AM ALPHA PHI ALPHA!

Order of Celebration
Saturday, December 5, 2020 | 10:00 AM
Jones High School
James W. “Chief ” Wilson Auditorium
801 S. Rio Grande Avenue | Orlando, Florida 32805
Pastor Willie C. Barnes, Officiating
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church
Processional...........................................................................................................................Clergy & Family
“We’ve Come This Far By Faith”
Invocation................................................................................................................ Father Nelson W. Pinder
Rector Emeritus, The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist
Scripture Readings
Old Testament – Ecclesiastes 3:1-11................................................... Reverend Dr. Robert M. Spooney
Pastor, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Institutional Church
New Testament – John 14:1-6......................................................................................Dr. J. Roy Morrison
Lead Pastor, Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church
Musical Selection of Inspiration............................................................................Darrell Moody and Co.
Reflections
As a Friend....................................................................................................................... Mr. Paul Snead, Jr.
As a National Officer of 100 Black Men of America, Inc.................... Mr. Albert E. Dotson. Jr., Esq.
As a Co-Worker....................................................................................................... Dr. Brenda Thompson
As a Friend...................................................................................................... The Honorable Belvin Perry
Resolutions and Acknowledgements...........................................................................Ms. Gaye Simpkins
Musical Selection of Inspiration............................................................................Darrell Moody and Co.
Words of Comfort.........................................................................................Reverend Dr. Randolph Bracy
Founder, New Covenant Baptist Church
Recessional.............................................................................................................................Clergy & Family
“Going Up Yonder”
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
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
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
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.
– Psalm 121 KJV

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Ronald Orin Rogers

Honorary Pallbearers
The Honorable Belvin Perry / Mr. Paul Snead, Jr. / Mr. Karl Brown
Mr. Michael Beale / Mr. Donny Peña / Mr. James Barker / Mr. Dick Batchelor
Oley’s Sunday Morning Breakfast Crew
Active Pallbearers
100 Black Men of Greater Orlando, Inc.
Flower Attendants
The Orlando Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
The Orlando Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
The Ladies of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church
Jones High School Class of 1969
Acknowledgements
The family of the late Ronald Orin Rogers, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to
everyone who gave of themselves during this difficult time. Thank you for your prayers, visits,
phone calls, flowers, contributions, food, and other acts of kindness during our bereavement.
They will forever be remembered. May God continue to shine his blessings upon you.
– The Family
Services Entrusted To
Mitchell’s Funeral Home
Directors
“The Home That Faith and Service Built”
501 Fairvilla Road | Orlando, Florida 32808 | (407) 298-0703
www.mitchellsfuneralhome.com
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