Rogers L. Brazier, Sr.

Rogers Leslie Brazier, Sr., of Wamego, Kansas, a devoted and loving husband and father, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 31st in Topeka at the age of 89. Rogers was married to Mary Louise (Madden) Brazier, who preceded him in death in March, 2010. Rogers and Mary Louise were married for 63 years. They met in the Fall of 1946 at a Kansas State University Acacia-Clovia “hour dance,” experienced what they later described as the “right sparks,” and were married three and one-half months later on January 18, 1947, at the Auburn home of Mary Louise’s parents. The ultimate tribute to the lifelong love affair of Mary Louise and Rogers was his statement that Mary Louise always brought “a smile to me every day and peacefulness every night.” Rogers was a proud World War II Navy veteran and served on the beaches of Iwo Jima and at several other notable campaigns in the Pacific Theatre aboard U.S. Navy LCT and LSM vessels. During his distinguished civilian career he served as administrator of the Wamego Community Hospital. His career also included a professional position with Swick-Guth in McPherson, Kan. His journey through life began in Kansas City, Kan., where he was born the second of three children to LaDean (Rogers) and George William Brazier, Sr. Following his mother’s death when he was a newborn, Rogers was raised into adulthood by his grandparents Lillie and William Foster Brazier. Rogers was a 61-year Life Mason and a member of the Wamego Masonic Lodge #75. He was also a Shriner and Shrine leader, having served as a member of the Divan for the Arab Shrine Temple in Topeka. He and Mary Louise were members of the First United Methodist Church of Wamego. They were also avid supporters of Kansas State University athletics and season ticket holders for more than 40 years. They also enjoyed traveling to WW II U.S. Navy reunions and visiting their children across the country. Rogers was dedicated to his family, friends, church, and community. He was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise, his parents and his two brothers, George William, Jr., and Rodney Wesley, who was his birth twin. He was also preceded by one half-sister, Margo Ely, his stepmother Elizabeth Brazier and two beloved aunts, Doris Rogers Landis and Margaret Brazier Quarrier Driggs. Rogers is survived by his four children, Beverly Noun (Robert), Barbara Swayze (Steve), Rogers Brazier (Laura Wilcox), and Denise Thornton (Mace), 11 grandchildren; Christopher, Stefanie, Stephen, Spencer, Stewart, Morgan, Hayley, Trace, Troy, Taylor; and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two half-siblings, Harriet Schumacher and Gerry Brazier. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church of Wamego. Burial with Masonic Rites will follow in the Wamego City Cemetery. Mr. Brazier will lie in-state beginning at 1:00 p.m. Monday at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, with family greeting friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. In honor of the life of Rogers, memorial donations may be made to the Wamego Masonic Lodge #75, in lieu of flowers.