Obituary
The Rev. Dr. George H. Rodgers, a long time and well-loved minister of the United Church of Canada, died on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at the age of 83.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 48 years, Heather; his daughter Kyla (Sean Gillis); his son Mark; brother Don (Sharon); sister-in-law Ruth; nieces Ylan and Laurren and nephews Grant, Greg, Garnet, Ken, and their families; sister-in law Pam (Stan McDougall), Shirley MacArthur, Shawn MacArthur and Jennifer Foster.
He was predeceased by his parents Alex and Alma Rodgers; his brothers Brian and Bobby; his in laws Irene and Don Flood, and Allan MacArthur.
George loved his family, his church, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, St. Louis Cardinals, the Edmonton Oilers and Johnny Cash. He enjoyed singing tenor in the church choir and the Josephburg Men’s Choir, hosting radio shows on CJSR with his son Mark, playing bridge, writing, reading, live theatre, travelling, and doing the daily crossword and Sudoku. He was a devoted and loving husband and father. He loved spending summer vacations at Naramata Centre with Heather, Kyla and Mark and enjoyed visits with family in Regina, BC, Calgary and Cape Breton. In later years, he and Heather looked forward to trips to Mexico each winter, and were fortunate to travel and to cruise to many beautiful destinations.
George grew up in Regina. He attended the University of Saskatchewan earning a Bachelor of Arts, St. Andrew’s College Saskatoon earning a Bachelor of Divinity, Chicago Theological Seminary earning a Master of Theology, and St. Stephen’s College Edmonton earning a Doctor of Ministry.
George was ordained in 1962, and served in pastoral ministry in Pelly and Swift Current Saskatchewan, and in Calgary, Sherwood Park, and Edmonton Alberta. He also served on staff at the Prairie Christian Training Centre in Fort Qu’Appelle and at St. Stephen’s College in Edmonton. George’s last position before retirement was as Executive Secretary of Alberta and Northwest Conference of the United Church.
In his 60 years of service as an ordained minister, George was involved in many different aspects of church life. He was a commissioner to General Councils and a member of the General Council Executive as well as being elected President of Alberta Conference. George chaired and was a member of a wide range of Presbytery, Conference and National committees. He also served as Interim President for St. Stephen’s and St. Andrew’s Colleges and was Minister Emeritus at Sherwood Park United Church. He taught courses at St. Stephen’s College and at the department of Extension at the University of Alberta.
A dynamic speaker, he was a lifelong learner, was well read, and kept up with the best thinkers and contemporary theologians of the day. He lived with integrity, was a strong churchman, an excellent teacher, and a caring and compassionate minister. We are grateful for the gifts and graces George shared through his years of ministry, for his gentle presence, for his ability to listen and respond with thoughtful guidance, and for his sense of humour. His presence among us will be missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held on April 9, 2022 at 2 pm at Sherwood Park United Church, 20 Fir Street, Sherwood Park, Alberta. For those who choose to do so, donations may be made to the Life and Work of Sherwood Park United Church.
