Carl Rodgers

Carl Rodgers faced immense courage in the face of a terrible

neurological disease that slowly robbed him of everything except his

dignity and sense of humor. On Aug. 2, 2010, he passed away suddenly

and peacefuly at homein the arms of his beloved wife and daughter. He

is free of his suffering, but we will miss him terribly.

Born to William Burton Rodgers and Mariann Todd, Carl and his family

moved to Wallace in 1951, where he soon became well known for his

rakish sense of humor. In 1956 he married Jo Ann Murphy, joined the

Navy and together they began their great life adventure.

He served on the USS Forge, USS Yorktown and USS Kittyhawk,

beginning his Navy career as an enlisted sonar man and avionic

electrician, and worked his way up through the ranks as lieutenant. He

was proud to be a Mustang. After his military retirement he spent more

than a decade as a presentence investigator and probation officer for the

state of Idaho. He was an honorable husband and father who loved his

family more than anything. He also possessed great energy and

enthusiasm, enjoying carving, woodworking and long-distance cycling as

long as he was able.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, JoAnn, and his daughters Carla

Gentry and Amy Ferguson, both of Post Falls, and Todd Rodgers of

Spokane. His children’s spouses, Kevin Gentry, Randy Ferguson and

Martha Rodgers also feel his loss immensely. He was the proud

granndfather of Lauren Petticolas, Chelsea Ferguson, James Gentry,

Shannon Humphrey, Lacey Hughes, Joshua Ferguson, Matt Rodgers and

Sara Rodgers. He was a fun Papa Jake to 15 great-grandchildren. His

parents and sister Claire Ann Thomas preceded him in death.

A military ceremony will be held at the Post Falls Veterans Memorial,

where he will eventually be interred. No other formal services will be

held at his request. The family will have a private celebration of his

life on Aug. 7.

Please share your happy memories of Carl by letter or card or online

at Post Falls English Funeral Home. Please sign Carl’s guest registry

and view online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.