Jerry Rodgers

Dr. Jerry Wharton "Doc" Rodgers, affectionately known as Pop J, passed away peacefully from natural causes on February 3, 2026, at the age of 82.  Jerry was born on April 24, 1943, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to George and Winona Rodgers. After graduating as valedictorian from Roy Miller High School in Corpus Christi, he attended the University of Texas at Austin before earning his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas.

Jerry served his country as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Vietnam era, where he practiced medicine in a bunker, caring for wounded soldiers as well as civilians and children. It was work that required courage, steadiness, and compassion-qualities that defined him throughout his life.

For more than 50 years, Jerry practiced family medicine, a calling he chose intentionally because it allowed him to care for entire families and walk alongside people through every stage of life. Medicine was both his profession and his passion, sustained by a lifelong devotion to learning, teaching, and serving his patients and community.

Jerry was a long-time member of Lake Fork Baptist Church, where his faith was an important and steady part of his life. Jerry never met a stranger, and children were instinctively drawn to him. Regularly, he could be found leading a sing-along, creating and directing talent shows, enjoying his favorite tech and lake toys, teaching swimming, coaching youth soccer, and beating everyone who challenged him in ping pong. He worked hard, lived fully, and had a rare ability to make people feel better simply through his presence.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Marcy Rodgers; his children Ryan Rodgers (wife Tish) and Raegan Saylor; his stepdaughters Mendi Garrett and Melani Windham (husband Joey); and his grandchildren Kayden Rodgers (fiancé Maguire Lind) and Zach Rodgers, Avery and Anthony Arrington, Hailey, Madelyn, and Parker Saylor, Collin Garrett (wife Jessica), Colten Garrett (wife Aleigh), Devin Windham (fiancé Kevin Pollinzi), Braeden Windham (wife Hannah), and Eric Windham. 

He is further survived by his great-grandchildren Leah Valdez, Jett and Lauren Renger, Minnie and Marlie Garrett, Samuel Garrett, and soon-to-be Tobias Garrett, as well as the extended family of his late wife, Linda Rodgers.

A funeral service will be held Monday, February 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Lake Fork Baptist Church in Alba, Texas.

Flowers may be sent to Beaty Funeral Home, 816 W. Broadway, Winnsboro, TX 75494.

Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to the Children's Ministry at Lake Fork Baptist Church in Alba,Texas