Earl Clayton Rodgers

Earl Clayton Rodgers 1926-2017 Earl C. Rodgers, prominent local building contractor, civic leader, and servant of Jesus Christ, died on February 4, 2017, at Providence Health Care, Inc. He was 90 years old. Earl was born in Logansport, Indiana, on May 29, 1926, to Esther C. and Claude E. Rodgers. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pearl Irene, brothers Harry and Carl Rodgers, daughter Jennifer R. Beck, and granddaughter Sarah E. Camp. He is survived by his sister Helen Meurer, daughter Linda I. Shaw and her husband Paul, son Thomas E. Rodgers and his wife Marcheta Lynn, son-in-law Bruce Beck. grandchildren Michael P. Shaw and his wife Marci, Douglas C. Shaw, Lauren R. Beck, Emily A. Martin and husband James, Matthew T. Rodgers, Mason G. Camp, Aaron A. Camp and wife Stephanie, and great-grandchildren Gabrielle M. Lively, Cheyenne Camp, and Harbour Camp. Earl and his family moved to Terre Haute shortly after his birth and then to the rural western area of the county. He graduated from Concannon High School in 1944 and then joined the U.S. Navy. He trained in the V12 program at Indiana State Teachers College and then at Great Lakes Naval Station before shipping out to the Pacific Theater and a voyage to China as a machinist on a destroyer. After leaving the service, Earl attended North Central Bible Institute in Minneapolis with the intention of entering the ministry. However, with a first child on the way, he and Pearl returned to West Terre Haute where Earl worked for the lumber company. In 1952, he joined Kuykendall Construction Company where he soon became vice-president of the firm. In June 1970, he became the head of Progressive Construction & Engineering Co., Inc., which he built into a major contracting company. Earl pioneered the concept of design/build, doing the architectural design of a number of structures in the Terre Haute area as well as supervising their construction. In 1976, Earl founded his own construction company on National Avenue in West Terre Haute. His firm, Earl C. Rodgers & Associates, Inc., continues today under the leadership of his daughter Linda and grandson Michael. As Earl once said, "Building design and construction have always seemed to be my 'gift.'" Earl loved the Terre Haute area and believed that citizens had a duty to their community. Consequently, he was very active in numerous civic and construction-oriented organizations, including serving at various times as president or director of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, the local chapter and the Indiana/Kentucky district of the Exchange Club, Associated Building Contractors of Terre Haute, Vigo County Area Planning Commission, Indiana Carpenters Pension/Health and Welfare Board, Associated General Contractors of Indiana, and the Alliance for Growth and Progress. On May 21, 1944, Earl gave his life to Jesus Christ and became a faithful servant of his Savior. In the Navy his sincere faith earned him the nickname "Deacon." In 1950, he began designing churches, completing plans for more than 200 edifices across the Midwest. Earl aided a number of ministries by, among other things, giving away some 30,000 Bibles. He was a founding member, Sunday School superintendent, and deacon, at Hulman Street Assembly of God and later a deacon and Sunday School superintendent of First Assembly of God. In 1980, he became associated with Central Presbyterian Church. In 1982, he began preaching at various churches in the T.H. region, eventually delivering more than 200 sermons and conducting over 20 funerals. Despite his many activities, Earl found ample time to be a wonderful husband and father. Earl and Pearl raised their children in a house Earl designed and lived in for more than 60 years on five wooded acres he turned into a virtual park. Earl not only taught his children the ways of righteousness, he also exemplified his lessons through a life of honesty, hard work, concern for others, service to the community, dedication to his family, and a powerful love for his Lord and Savior. Earl's funeral will be held at the Fitzpatrick Funeral Home, 220 North 3rd, West Terre Haute, with visitation from 4 to 8 on Tuesday, February 7, and 9 to 10 on February 8. The funeral service will be conducted by Rev. Scott Paul-Bonham at 10:00 a.m.Wednesday February 8. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Terre Haute Lighthouse Mission.