Mervin passed away at age 84 in Santa Barbara, California on June 25, 2024. Mervin was born on September 7, 1939, in Wellington, Kansas, and lived in Wellington until 1981 when he moved to Santa Barbara, California. To say that Mervin was an enthusiastic sports fan would be an understatement.
Mervin was a committed fan of the Wellington Crusaders and Blue Knights, attending most every game for decades, home and away, boys and girls, varsity and JV. Longtime fans will remember Mervin in the stands holding a radio to his ear so he could keep track of another game while watching all of Wellington’s games and matches. In addition to being a Wellington fan, Mervin was also a fan of KU, Oklahoma State, Kansas City Chiefs, and St. Louis Cardinals (baseball) teams. Mervin’s older twin brothers, Harold and Gerald, were sports stars in Wellington, having led the Crusaders to their only boy’s basketball state championship in 1947. Both brothers attended Oklahoma State (then named Oklahoma A&M) to play basketball for the Cowboys. Mervin’s support of the OSU Cowboys continued throughout his life, but deep down, he was a Jayhawk. Mervin’s grandfather, father, Uncle Whitson, Aunt Lena, brother Gerald, and nephew Jeff attended KU. Mervin’s family was always a key part of his experience as a sports fan. Mervin also had several brushes with celebrities and adventures. Dustin Hoffman interviewed Mervin in preparation for his famous role in Rainman. When asked about it later, Mervin was unimpressed by the actor’s lackluster knowledge of the 1969 Mets despite claiming to be a New Yorker. Similarly, he spent some time arguing with Tommy Lasorda, manager of the LA Dodgers, during a Q&A about why Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame. He also visited the Reagan Ranch annually. According to family lore, he shook President Reagan’s hand on one of those visits. Mervin also traveled the world, including a trip to Japan, and attended several Final Fours, Super Bowls, and World Series over the years. He traveled to Alaska to support Wellington’s Babe Ruth team in 1967. Throughout his life, he had the opportunity to go to many MLB games where he watched legends such as Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial, and Willie Mays play. Mervin was a devout Christian, a member of the First Baptist Church in Wellington, and was employed by the church as a janitor for many years. After moving to Santa Barbara, Mervin attended Trinity Baptist Church with local friends for many years. Mervin had a gentle soul and cared deeply for family and friends. Mervin was predeceased by his father F.M. Rogers, his mother Josephine Holman Rogers, brothers Harold Rogers and Gerald Rogers and sister Janice Cobb, his niece Kathie Cobb and nephew Kipp Rogers. Mervin is survived by his nieces, Jane Rogers Knowlton (Kevin) and Anne Rogers, nephews Jeffrey Rogers, John Rogers (Andrea Walkden), Michael Rogers (Janell), and Chris Cobb. Great nephews, William “Billy” Rogers (Frances), Charles Rogers (Lia), Paul Rogers Knowlton, and great nieces Lily Rogers, Adeline Rogers, and Sarah Jane Knowlton. In January 2024 his first great, great nephew was born, Harold “Harry” Rogers. Burial services are provided by Cornejo Funeral Home in Wellington. A graveside service will be held at Sumner Memorial Gardens in Wellington on Saturday, August 31st at 10:00 A.M. Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations to the First Baptist Church, 201 W. Lincoln Ave, Wellington, Kansas. A special thanks from the family and on Mervin’s behalf to the present and past staff, volunteers, and community friends of the Devereux Foundation in Goleta, California. A video tribute titled “Merv and Chip Memories” starring Mervin and his close friend Chip, produced in Santa Barbara in the 1990s can be
viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joXuK3J5UzY
