Larry Rogers

I was out of town when Larry Rogers died in December. I received a phone call in New Hampshire from Magistrate Tim Riggs who told me that Larry had fallen and things didn’t look good for him.

My immediate reaction was to call Tom Clinton and let him know so he could assign a reporter to the story. My second was to pour myself a drink and sit back and think about Larry.

It should have been my first.

As I entered Government Center through the parking lot entrance Tuesday for a Fiscal Court meeting I noticed pictures of the magistrates had been mounted on the wall. I saw Larry’s and realized how much I miss him.

I first met Larry about five years ago and one year into the Second Four-Year War (a.k.a., the Patricia Hawkins administration). This followed the First Four-Year War (a.k.a. the Richard Frymire administration).

The Doc is not being critical of either of the former judge-executives. They both were in less than enviable positions. The infighting, mud throwing and face-to-face confrontations were difficult to control. Kevlar was the preferable choice of attire when attending those meetings.

Those of us who knew Larry for his work on the court often called him “Blacktop and Buffet.” He was famous for traveling to Frankfort looking for money for 5th District roads. He would often initially be turned down, but by the time he and the person he was meeting with finished their buffet lunch, Larry would sometimes have a promise for the money.

Maybe it was his folksy way that turned people. He invented words from time-to-time. Larry is the onlyest person I’ve ever heard use the non-word “onlyest.”

He was quick to motion to adjourn a Fiscal Court meeting when business was done. His wife, Wilma, who was appointed to complete his term, has that honor now.

He and The Doc didn’t always see eye-to-eye on things. We weren’t close friends. However, when Larry believed in something it was hard to move him off his position. He stood by his convictions

He wasn’t afraid to take a stand. That is something in itself to admire about a person.

There was a large turnout for Larry’s funeral in Dawson Springs. His friends and pastor spoke eloquently about him.

They spoke of a quick smile and a quicker willingness to jump in and help someone out when needed.

I don’t know why I didn’t write this sooner.

I miss Larry and I’m sure I’m not the onlyest one.

1 Comment

• By paula, July 24, 2009 @ 11:25 am

  Very good Don.

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