Al Rogers Memorial Dance
Celebration of Life in loving memory of Al Rogers
Sunday May 7, 2023, 2 pm – 5 pm (doors open at 1 pm)
Gainesville Women’s Club
2809 West University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32607
Al Rogers (June 9, 1948 – March 1, 2023) was a prominent member of several dance communities (English Country, Contra, Scottish, and Irish dance) in Gainesville, FL. He regularly traveled throughout north and central Florida to support other dance communities.
Al was an accomplished and kind dancer, a true gentleman in all respects. It didn’t matter if someone was the newest or most experienced dancer—he danced joyfully with all dancers and he took great pride in helping new dancers learn to dance. Al was the true embodiment of a dance angel.
A longtime resident of Gainesville, Al was an outstanding trumpet player in the Gainesville High School band. As a young man, Al joined the US Army Officer Candidate School, entered Army Special Forces, a.k.a. Green Berets, and served two tours in Vietnam as a Captain. For many years afterward, Al ran the family furniture business, Rog Ran, with his brother Marvin. After taking early retirement, Al was a tech guru to friends, an active member of the YMCA, an avid hiker, and a volunteer at the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.
Please join us for a celebration of Al’s life with a memorial service followed by a dance including some of his favorite dance forms.
Music anchored by Wind That Shakes the Barley
Dance callers:
- JoLaine
- Annette Merritt
- Randy Thorp
- Piper Call
- Vicki Morrison and
- Alice Raibourn
Admission is free and open to the public.
Masks are not required, but Al would have appreciated it if you wore a KN95 mask or equivalent out of concern for vulnerable members of our community.
Al dedicated his life to helping others. In lieu of flowers, we would prefer donations to the Humane Society of North Central Florida, the Friends of Paynes Prairie, your local dance group, or your favorite charitable organization.
With love,
Al’s partner Christine, and Al’s siblings Frances Hopson, David & Carlene Rogers, Marvin & Lynn Rogers, and Margaret Rogers
