Walter "Clark" Rogers, Jr.

Walter Clark Rogers, Jr., a resident of the Badin Lake community in New London, NC, passed peacefully December 28th, 2023, surrounded by his biological children and current wife at the age of 91. Born to Walter Clark Rogers, Sr. and Louise Cox Rogers in Jamestown, NC on January 8th, 1932. Clark lived a long and fascinating life and never backed down from a challenge. 

As he grew, he began to show a thirst for knowledge and love of all complex things. He and his parents moved several times before coming back to North Carolina and he eventually entered High School and graduated from Rocky Mount earning the superlative title; Mr. Senior.

From there his classic and never yielding tenacity took him to live in New York, NY to work for a British Passenger Ship as a Bell Clerk to allow him to enter an engineering program in New York City.

For several years after finishing school, Clark worked with Western Electric in Jamestown, NC. This is where he would meet the mother of his four biological children and from there his bravery and perseverance led him to embark on the long and successful career as an independent engineer within the furniture industry. He time and time again, and with the help of many business associates over a span of approximately 65 years, revolutionized the reclining chair industry filing patent after patent. Making the jump from Bell Clerk to Maverick in the reclining furniture industry. He remained an independent designer/inventor and was recognized and respected as an intricate participant in the world of reclining mechanisms for chairs and sofa sleepers. 

Tireless, Clark still managed to take time to begin a small recording studio in the late 60's where he could express his love of country music. He designed a practice golf course he named Strategy Golf in the 80's and played a large part as the "architect" in several of his homes and workshops. Also lending his ideas to the development of manufacturing machinery. 

He had a love for sports and statistics, especially anything concerning Football, Basketball or Golf. He was also known for his great admiration for the Duke Football and Basketball programs and eventually became an enthusiastic member of the Iron Dukes.

Many of his qualities included an amazing wit, a never-ending sense of humor and was a walking encyclopedia of jokes. He had much compassion for others and shared a deep love of music with everyone who knew him. He was known by many for his generosity, patience and his non-judgmental approach.  He is survived by his wife Tammy Grewell Rogers, stepdaughter Trina Trexler (Corey), his daughters Amanda Rogers Lowe, Mary Clark Abdatiy, his son  Steven Turner Rogers, his brother Turner Rogers (Donna), his half brother Wayne Rogers, his grandchildren, Matthew Forrest Lowe (Ellen), Steven Taylor Rogers (Karen), stepgrandsons Seth and Bruce Trexler, greatgrandchildren Sky Hinshaw, Addison Lowe, Charlie Lowe, Hunter Lowe, Nephew, Tagg Rogers (Natasha) and stepson Austin Reame), Nieces Ashely Rogers Wells and Daisy Rogers. He is preceded in death by his son Walter Clark Rogers III, stepson Bruce Hastings, granddaughter Aisha Rogers. A Celebration of Life Service will be held April 6, 2024, at Badin Shores Resort Community Center between the hours of  2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Nicholson Funerals & Cremations, Thomasville Chapel has the honor of serving the family.