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. |