Thomas John Rodgers, age 78, recently of Balsam Lake,WI, passed away suddenly at his home with his wife by his side on Thursday, November 2, 2023.

Tom was born on March 14, 1945 in Rochester, NY to Norman and Hattie (Wacht) Rodgers.

He attended Edison Technical High school where he graduated in 1963. Afterwards, he attended Mohawk Valley Community college Utica, NY where he met his future wife Jan Steele. Tom enlisted in The Air Force in 1966. He spent most of his military career in reconnaissance at Hickam Air Force Base on Oahu, HI. Tom and Jan were married in a chapel on Hickam A.F.B. in 1970. Their son Jason was born at Tripler Army Hospital on Oahu. After Tom completed his service, the family moved back to Rochester, NY where they welcomed their daughter Sloan in 1973. Tom returned to work as a lithographer for Case Hoyt Printing. Tom and Jan built their first home in Canandaigua, NY. In 1987, Tom moved on to Customer Service in the printing industry and moved the family to Kent, OH where he worked for the Press of Ohio. Jason and Sloan both graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School, and Tom became a Cleveland Browns fan. He retired from his printing career in Richmond ,VA. Tom went on to pursue his favorite hobby—cooking with an emphasis on BBQ. He and Jan eventually relocated to Amery to become full time grandparents. Tom was a long time member of the Amery American Legion and the VFW, where he was a member of the Honor Guard, and became a Packers fan.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Hattie and his brother, Andy Rodgers.

Tom is survived by his wife, Jan; son, Jason (Lynn Miller) Rodgers of Minneapolis, MN; daughter, Sloan (Craig) Stanze of St Croix Falls, WI; grandchildren, Clover and Maxwell Stanze; sister- and brother-in-laws, Susie Reng, Sharen Littlefield and Rik Steele.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, November 10, 2023 from 2 to 4 pm at Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, WI with Military Honors.

Last Update: Nov 06, 2023 1:03 pm CST