of Little Rock, AR
May 14, 1939 - August 5, 2023
Rogers Elvin Davis was known as a stubborn and hard-headed man with a tender heart. He held a definitive opinion about all things politics, business, computers, computer systems, flying and Cajun cooking. And according to him, his opinions were the correct opinions. Unfortunately, Rogers Davis, 84, passed away on August 5, 2023 after a 6 month battle with colon cancer.
His definitive opinions extended to the people he loved. His wife, his 3 girls, his 6 grandchildren and one granddaughter-in-law, his 3 sons-in-law, his numerous friends and work associates, because although he did not always express his thoughts and feelings toward them, his pride in them and love for them was strong and resolute.
Rogers was born May 14, 1939 in Alexandria, Louisiana. He had good ole Cajun roots and was deeply proud of his heritage as evident by the amount of gumbo, etouffee and oysters he cooked and ate. Sharing oysters with anyone was a favorite, especially at Christmas with his son-in-law, Price Cordle. He cooked many a batch of gumbo and homemade bread for Super Bowl parties and even taught several people how to make bread and gumbo. Rogers' parents were Shelton Lee Davis and Hilda Francis Wagner. His siblings, Marguerite (James) Oliver, Fran (deceased) (Gene) Still, Shelton Lee Davis, Jr. (deceased) (Becky), David (Daisy) Davis and Judy Garner were people he cherished. He told many people how proud he was of his 3 girls, Debbie (Brad) Reeves, Lynn (deceased) (Ned) Peterson and Rogena (Price) Cordle. He loved to spend weekends with his grandchildren, Matthew (Marki) Reeves, Grace Reeves, Alec Peterson, Jenna Peterson, Joanna Cordle and Addie Cordle. Shooting guns at the gun range with the Reeves family, spending time in Dallas with the Petersons and cutting down a Christmas tree with the Cordles were highlights.
Rogers graduated from Mabelvale High School in 1956. He joined the Marines where he served on the USS Yorktown doing various jobs including the Admiral's personal driver. He was intensely proud of his service to our country. After his Marine service, he earned a bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Memphis State University (University of Memphis) in 1965. He took a job at Sperry Univac (Unisys), where he worked for the next 31 years supervising and installing computer systems for telephone companies, universities, hospitals, manufacturing companies and trucking industries. He completed the last 17 years of his career at UALR as Chief Technology Officer. He was quite the pioneer in the computer world and seemed to forget the average person did not understand that much about computer and math systems. He often endeavored to teach his daughters elementary school math using algebraic equations and attempted to explain complicated mathematical theory to the most unsuspecting people. His attempts to buy something at Best Buy from teenage employees who think an 80- year-old man would not know anything about computers was always a fun experience. Rogers married Lee Covington in 1998 and they have enjoyed 25 years together, traveling and developing friendships. Some of their favorite trips were cruises with Lee's son, Brent Covington. Rogers loved all things about planes and flying them. His favorite stunt was flying upside down in open cockpit biplanes. He enjoyed training for 10 mile-a-day hiking events with his good friend, Mike Martin, in the Lake Tahoe area. Rogers taught us all the phrase, "White Light", which we were supposed to say out loud whenever we saw a police car that might get us for speeding. Now, not a one of us sees a police car without saying, "White Light. White Light. White Light!". In 2002, he was the Horse Handicapping Champion at Oaklawn which allowed him automatic entry in the National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas. His opinions on politics were not always very popular but he was adamantly opinionated about the things he believed would soon be happening in this country. He warned many about making wrong choices and being prepared for what might come. It is possible he decided to die just to avoid the upcoming Presidential Election cycle.
Rogers was fiercely stubborn and protective, serious and opinionated about the things he believed in and loved. His family. His country. His food. His work. His computers. While sometimes it may have seemed that he was a bit overbearing, in reality, he was just trying to teach us some things that he thought we should know.
Services will be held on Monday, August 14, at 11:30 AM at Roller-Owens Funeral Home in North Little Rock. A visitation will be held the evening before on Sunday, August 13 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the funeral home.
The family requests that donations be made to UALR for the Rogers E Davis endowed scholarship fund at this address:
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Attn: Chris Hamilton, Alumni Development
2801 S. University Ave
Little Rock, AR 72204
Sign Guestbook
13 Condolence(s)
Tracy Johnson
Monday, August 21, 2023
Rogers was a great guy. He had funny stories that made us laugh at UALR. He was a wonderful co-employee in Computing Services and I was lucky to taste his gumbo at Jeannie Winston’s house during the Super Bowl party. Rest in Peace, Rogers.
Tracy Johnson
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Rogers was a great guy. He had funny stories that made us laugh at UALR. He was a wonderful co-employee in Computing Services and I was lucky to taste his gumbo at Jeannie Winston’s house during the Super Bowl party. Rest in Peace, Rogers.
Tiana Haley
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
I’m so sorry to hear about Rogers. He was a brilliant leader. I will never forget him. My condolences go out to his friends and family.
Bob Denman
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
I so admired Rogers as a colleague at UALR. I am pretty old, Rogers older than me yet he knew more about technology than anyone on campus, and for that matter, anyone I knew. He helped build out that campus to what it is today. God bless you Lee and family and may his presence give you peace during your time of loss.
Janette and Bill Prior
Saturday, August 12, 2023
We are so sorry for your loss. We always looked forward to our weekly lunches with you and Rogers and our annual trips to Eureka Springs. We loved his stories he would tell, particularly when he was in the military. He was a very thoughtful man and we were fortunate to have him as our friend. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Beverly Chandler
Saturday, August 12, 2023
Rogers and Lee have been in my circle of friends for many years. Rogers was a staple, someone you could count on. I
Remember once, getting a not so good diagnosis, he immediately went to his computer and started reading about it. I was relieved and happy for him to say, even though it wasn’t a great thing to have, I would not die from it! We had brief conversations targeting what interested us both. Getting to the heart of the matter with conclusions drawn…often we were on the same page. I appreciated his intelligence and willingness to share in these great conversations with me. He will be greatly missed by me.
Beverly Chandler
Saturday, August 12, 2023
Rogers and Lee have been in my circle of friends for many years. Rogers was a staple, someone you could count on. I
Remember once, getting a not so good diagnosis, he immediately went to his computer and started reading about it. I was relieved and happy for him to say, even though it wasn’t a great thing to have, I would not die from it! We had brief conversations targeting what interested us both. Getting to the heart of the matter with conclusions drawn…often we were on the same page. I appreciated his intelligence and willingness to share in these great conversations with me. He will be greatly missed by me.
Tom Teeter
Friday, August 11, 2023
I'm truly sorry for your loss. Rogers was not only an exceptional computer professional but also a kind and helpful individual. His legacy of competence and generosity will always be remembered and cherished by those fortunate enough to have known him. Lee and family, my thoughts are with you, during this difficult time.
Kathy Adkisson
Friday, August 11, 2023
“Just give me a minute, I’ll be right down. “ That was always the response Rogers gave when I needed something. He was always available to give me a ride, jump start my car, setup my printer, or fix my computer. I will miss our walks & conversations, and his many generous acts of kindness. I extend my condolences to Lee & his beloved family members.
Love Kathy, Countrywood Neighbor
Chaplain Beverly
Thursday, August 10, 2023
It was my absolute JOY serving as your Chaplain at the Comfort Care Center.
Carrie Drews
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
I am so sorry for your loss. This obituary is a beautiful tribute and I’m sure he would love it. Praying for all of you.
Cindy Fisher
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Debbie, so sorry for your loss. A very interesting and lively man. I can only imagine the conversation that he had with Brad. May you and your family feel the peace of Christ.
Dale Morris
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
High School classmate and football teammate with Rogers at Mabelvale. He had the best "flattop" haircut in the entire school. None of us were very big, by today's standards, but he was a tough, fearsome competitor, both in the classroom and on the ball field. He delivered some fearsome "hits" on defense, and I recall during football season he always had bruises or bandages somewhere on his face, arms, or legs as a result of some "collision" he had delivered.
I was honored to be his best man at his wedding. Rogers was just always steady, dependable, and unwavering in what he believed to be right. Men like him are entirely too few. I will miss him.