Jackie Lee Rodgers

Jackie Lee Rodgers, born November 2, 1956 passed away March 2, 2020. Memorial Service: 1:00 P.M. Saturday, March 14, 2020 at the Church At Azle. Jackie was born in Lamesa to J. C. and Christine Rodgers. They later moved to Bedford where he grew up. Jackie met a boy in first grade on the day President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed. His friend was Terry Smyers. Not only were they lifelong friends, they became brothers when they each married Spurgin sisters. Jackie grew up with a passion for baseball. He was a Texas Rangers fan from the onset of the team in 1972. Win or lose they were his Rangers. In 1977 Jackie met the love of his life, Paula Spurgin, they married March 17, 1978. Their union lasted almost 42 years. They were blessed with three wonderful daughters, Amanda, Rachel and Laura. Jackie loved being a father and enjoyed his time with his girls. When the girls were young they all played Little League Softball. He got started with Little League by coaching a boys baseball team one year and then coached Amanda’s softball team one year. Eventually he decided to umpire games. Jackie got a group of men and women to volunteer and umpire baseball and softball. He found his passion! Jackie spent many years on the Azle Little League Board of Directors and umpired several hundred games over the years. In February of 2017 Jackie was diagnosed with colon cancer. He endured 2 surgeries, chemo, and many hospital stayovers the next 3 years. He fought so hard. Jackie never asked “Why Me” or said “Its not fair”. He accepted his cancer and did what he could to rid himself of this horrible disease. Finally in late February he was told he was at the end of his journey. Jackie knew there was life after death. He knew he would spend eternity in Heaven with God. If Jackie could save one person he would say to everyone to please have a colonoscopy! Jackie was preceded in death by his parents, J. C. and Christine Rodgers; grandparents, L. and Irene Burkham and Ted and Martha Rodgers; and father-in-law Bill Spurgin. Jackie is survived wife, Paula Rodgers; daughters, and their husbands, Amanda and Barry Metzing, Rachel and Jeron Posten, and Laura and Brandon Pope; grandchildren, Dylan and Erin Metzing and Kylin and Branson Pope; sisters, Debbie and Johnny Reagor, Susie Gurley and Carolyn and Joe Godsey; mother-in-law, Jane Spurgin; sister-in-laws, Peggy and Terry Smyers, and Katy and Dale Plumlee; brother-in-laws, Rodger Spurgin and Terry and Betty Spurgin; aunts, Louise Rodgers, Janice Gross and Joann Rodgers; many nieces, nephews and cousins; Jackie also leaves behind several very close friends, Scott O’Neal, Blane Crawford, Jerry Grant, Mark and Kim Ware and D’Ann and Don Elam.