Toke Rogers

George Truitt Rogers, 82, passed away on November 20, 2017 at his home in Las Cruces, NM with his family near. He was born on October 5, 1935 in Moriarty, N. M. and his father nicknamed him Toke when he was just a little boy. Toke grew up on the family farm in Moriarty and eventually moved to Las Cruces, where he worked for many years at the Physical Science Laboratory Rocket Section at New Mexico State University and later for private contractors at White Sands Missile Range. Toke attended NMSU, earning a bachelor's degree in geology. He retired in 1995. Toke married Janice Jones in August 1968 forming a loving family with her three children. One of the many things that bound the family together was their shared love of sports. The family attended NMSU basketball games played in the Las Cruces High School gym in the mid-1960s and have had the same season tickets in the Pan American Center since it opened in 1968. In addition to the Aggies, the family shared a love of baseball, specifically the Houston Astros. Originally a Cleveland Indians fan, Toke joined his son, Jack, in rooting for the Astros. It gave him great joy to see his beloved Astros win the World Series in October. Toke is survived by his wife of 49 years, Janice, his three children-Jack Jones and his wife Theresa, Teddye Jones, and Shari Jones, all of Las Cruces-and his three grandchildren-Mauri Weidenaar (whom he adopted) and her husband Mark of Albuquerque, Doran Jones of Los Angeles, and Troy Jones of Las Cruces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Olen and Louise Rogers, his sister, Sue Burch, and his brother, Howard Rogers. A family memorial will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Getz Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Cowboys for Cancer Research, P.O. Box 202, Dona Ana, NM 88032 or http://cowboys-4-cancer-research1.mybigcommerce.com/c4cr-donation/