James Douglas Rogers, 75, of Arlington, died Saturday, May 26, 2018, at hishome from natural causes.

Memorial services are at 2 p.m.  Saturday at the Arlington High School multi-purpose room.  Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. on Friday at the Johnson-Henry Funeral Home in Arlington.

James Douglas “Doug” Rogers was born on March 31, 1943, to James Theodore “Ted” and Alice (Dwyer) Rogers in Wessington.  He was the second of four children and grew up on a farm near Wessington.  Doug was active in sports throughout his youth. He participated in football, basketball and track during his high school years and played and coached baseball in the summer. 

He was selected to the first team All- State Football in 1960. Doug graduated from Wessington High School in 1961 and attended Huron College, where he graduated with a degree in physical education and mathematics in 1965.

Doug started his first years of teaching in Canova and was head coach for football, basketball and track.  In  Canova he met his future bride, Patricia Walter.  It was also in Canova that Doug was introduced to the game of golf by Pat’s father, Myles. After four years of teaching in Canova, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he was stationed at Fitzsimmons Army Base in Colorado.  Doug and Pat were married on Valentine’s Day, 1970. and settled in Aurora, Colorado.  After serving two years in the Army, Doug returned to teaching in Henry, where he was again head coach for football, basketball and track. During their time in Henry, daughter Kelly was born.  They then moved to Arlington High School for another three years.

In 1977, Doug made the move from teaching to working in the seed business, selling Paymaster seed, the Pioneer seed.  On his birthday in 1978, son Brad was born.  

Doug remained in the seed business for over 20 years before he retired.  He then obtained his retirement job with the State of South Dakota as a driver’s license examiner.

Even after leaving teaching, Doug remained involved in sports by coaching elementary school basketball for several years.  He was also the volunteer assistant coach to the Arlington High School’s girls basketball team. Many of Doug’s greatest joys came from watching kids participate in their activities and he was a familiar face to many in the Cardinal cheering sections. 

In the summer, you could usually find Doug on the golf course or mowing at the football field.

Doug is survived by his wife of 48 years, Pat; daughter, Kelly (Mark) of McPherson, Kansas; son Brad of Overland Park, Kansas; two grandchildren; siblings Charles (Paula) Rogers of Sioux Falls, Mary (Everett) Fisk of Watertown, Linda Heavirland of North Branch, Minnesota and sister-in-law Myla (Chuck) Kampshoff of Sioux Falls; four nieces, three nephews and many great nieces and nephews.  

He was preceded in death by his in-laws, Myles and Frances Walter and nephew Matt Kampshoff.