SJ162: Celebrating the life of Darwin E. Rogers.
WHEREAS, Darwin E. Rogers of Virginia Beach, a proud veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict, founder of Associated Distributors, and a devoted husband and father, died on January 21, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Darwin E. “Jim” Rogers was a native of Gilboa, New York, and made many friends while he was growing up in Ossining, New York; he graduated from Ossining High School and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1942; and
WHEREAS, Jim Rogers was first sent to California, where he volunteered to join the 1st Raider Battalion, known as Edson’s Raiders; his unit took part in the United States’ early battles in the Pacific, landing in 1942 on the island of Tulagi, the site of heavy fighting; and
WHEREAS, after being wounded on Guadalcanal, Jim Rogers recuperated in California and then joined the 4th Marine Division; he eventually returned to action in the Pacific theater, fighting on Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima; and
WHEREAS, Jim Rogers joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves after World War II ended; he was recalled to active service during the Korean conflict and was a tank commander training instructor in California; and
WHEREAS, when he reentered civilian life, Jim Rogers started working for Ballantine Beer in Brooklyn, New York; until then, he had been known by his nickname, “Gyp,” but on his first day as a beer truck driver, his supervisor thought he said “Jim,” and his new nickname stayed with him; and
WHEREAS, Jim Rogers soon advanced in the company, becoming a sales representative in Tennessee and then in Norfolk, where he worked for Best Brews, a Ballantine distributor; in 1955, Jim Rogers assumed the helm of the local company and renamed it Associated Distributors; and
WHEREAS, with a keen business sense and hard work, Jim Rogers led the distributorship as it grew to become one of the largest beverage distributors in the Commonwealth; throughout his life, he was known for his sense of honor, loyalty, and his steadfast belief that a person’s handshake was his word; and
WHEREAS, one of Jim Rogers’ proudest accomplishments was helping to build a schoolhouse on Tulagi, where so much fierce action took place during World War II; he remained deeply attached to the Marine Raiders all his life and was a generous donor to the unit’s efforts to establish a school on the small Pacific island; and
WHEREAS, Jim Rogers, who was predeceased by his son Donald, will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his wife, Marion; children, Lynnette and D.J. “Jimmy,” and their families; and many other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Darwin E. Rogers of Virginia Beach, a proud veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict, owner of Associated Distributors, and a devoted husband and father; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Darwin E. Rogers as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 162
WHEREAS, Darwin E. Rogers of Virginia Beach, a proud veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict, founder of Associated Distributors, and a devoted husband and father, died on January 21, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Darwin E. “Jimmy” Rogers was a native of Gilboa, New York, and made many friends while he was growing up in Ossining, New York; he graduated from Ossining High School and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1942; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Rogers was first sent to California, where he volunteered to join the 1st Raider Battalion, known as Edson’s Raiders; his unit took part in the United States’ early battles in the Pacific, landing in 1942 on the island of Tulagi, the site of heavy fighting; and
WHEREAS, after being wounded on Guadalcanal, Jimmy Rogers recuperated in California and then joined the 4th Marine Division; he eventually returned to action in the Pacific theater, fighting on Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Rogers joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves after World War II ended; he was recalled to active service during the Korean conflict and was a tank commander training instructor in California; and
WHEREAS, when he reentered civilian life, Jimmy Rogers started working for Ballantine Beer in Brooklyn, New York; until then, he had been known by his nickname, “Gyp,” but on his first day as a beer truck driver, his supervisor thought he said “Jim,” and his new nickname stayed with him; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Rogers soon advanced in the company, becoming a sales representative in Tennessee and then in Norfolk, where he worked for Best Brews, a Ballantine distributor; in 1955, Jimmy Rogers assumed the helm of the local company and renamed it Associated Distributors; and
WHEREAS, with a keen business sense and hard work, Jimmy Rogers led the distributorship as it grew to become one of the largest beverage distributors in the Commonwealth; throughout his life, he was known for his sense of honor, loyalty, and his steadfast belief that a person’s handshake was his word; and
WHEREAS, one of Jimmy Rogers’ proudest accomplishments was helping build a schoolhouse on Tulagi, where so much fierce action took place during World War II; he remained deeply attached to the Marine Raiders all his life and was a generous donor to the unit’s efforts to establish a school on the small Pacific island; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Rogers, who was predeceased by his son Donald, will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his wife, Marion; children Lynnette and D.J. “Jimmy,” and their families; and many other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Darwin E. Rogers of Virginia Beach, a proud veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict, owner of Associated Distributors, and a devoted husband and father; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Darwin E. Rogers as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.