Gaines Reppard Rogers, Jr.'s Obituary
Gaines Reppard Rogers Jr. December 17, 1940 – March 10, 2023
Gaines passed away at his home in Ocala, FL with his loving and steadfast wife, Melba, by his side. Gaines was born in Jacksonville, FL to Gaines Reppard Rogers SR and Elizabeth Combs Rogers. He was preceded in death by his previous wife, Marion Eddy Rogers.
A ‘true son’ of Gainesville, he was a lifelong (and very loud) Gator Fan, sharing his enthusiasm with his family, friends and fellow members of The Fighting Gator Touchdown Club. He proudly served in the US Navy as a submarine mariner on the USS Sennet. He was a retired director of transportation and loss prevention with Goodings Supermarkets. His greatest joy was spending time with his family.
Gaines is survived by his wife, Melba W Rogers; sons, Gaines Reppard Rogers III, aka Scott (Joni), Christopher Joseph Rogers (Chassidy); daughter, Leeanne Hawkins (John); daughters by marriage, Elizabeth Rodriguez (Milo) and Rebecca Yanez (J.P.) brother, Robert Rogers; sister, Peggy Harmon; 11 grandchildren and 3 great granddaughters.
Family and friends are welcome to attend funeral services which will be held at Williams Thomas Funeral Home (Main Street location) on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Visitation is at 10:00 a.m. followed by services at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Newnansville Cemetery in Alachua. To honor Gaines, causal Gator Spirit attire is welcomed and encouraged.
Later that afternoon, the family will hold a Celebration of Life gathering (TBA)
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to a Parkinson’s or Autism foundation.
An avid Gator fan, Gaines started working in the stadium selling sodas when he was still in grade school. He faithfully attended games his entire life. He was a member of the
Fighting Gator Touch Down club.
Gaines was a loving husband to his wife Melba, who he called “his sweetheart”. She was his everything. They had nearly 20 wonderful years together as partners in love. Every night he always said “sweet dreams” when they kissed goodnight. They enjoyed hiking, traveling, and eating good food. Happy hour was a regular event whether somewhere on their travels, meeting with friends or simply together on their porch.
A loyal friend. Gaines was always there when someone needed help. Everyone knew they could count on him.
A family man Gaines most enjoyed time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was known as Grandpa Gaines. He liked to tease, laugh and was always there to dry up their tears. There were always laughs and fun when they gathered.
The trips he most enjoyed were going to visit family in Tennessee and Indiana. When he and Melba married, he got six additional siblings and their spouses. Twelve new brothers and sisters. He loved all of them and their families. The wonderful thing was they loved him too.
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