David Weldon Rogers
(December 18, 1951 - May 22, 2026)

David Weldon Rogers of Grapevine, TX age 74, passed away Friday May 22, 2026 surrounded by his family. Celebration of life service will be held on June 6, 2026, at 11a.m. at Lakewood Methodist Church, 2443 Abrams Road in Dallas, TX 75214, in the Fellowship Hall, with Rev. Dr. Scot Bontrager officiating. Inurnment of his ashes will be at the Flint Creek Cemetery in The Grove Community, TX, where his parents and other family members dating back to the late 1800's are buried.

David was born on December 18,1951 in Temple, TX at the original Scott and White Hospital to the late George Weldon Rogers of Gatesville, TX and Ida Lee Grissom Rogers of The Grove Community, TX. The family moved from Temple to Dallas in the fall of 1958 when David was in 1st grade due to Weldon being transferred from the Temple A&P grocery store. David had a string of successes in his high school years at Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas. He played football at school beginning in 5th grade and on through high school. An AAAA team, the 1970 Wildcats won first in District, City, Regional and Quarter Final play. He also was trackman and basketball player for the YMCA and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also played the lead role in a one-act play that won first place in the University Interscholastic League competition. In his senior year he was elected, "Senior Favorite". Also at Lakewood Methodist Church, David was president of the Youth Counsel and on the Council of Ministries and the Commission of Ushers. He began college in the fall of 1970 at North Texas State University in Denton, TX after high school and hung up his football shoes with a plan to study for a degree in the arts, possibly with a major in social work. Later he transitioned to Richland College in Dallas, TX, where he obtained a degree in Quality Control and Failure Analysis.

David married Laura Gibson on August 30,1980, in the chapel at Lakewood Methodist Church in Dallas, TX and was a proud father of his two daughters, Jennifer and Tricia. David worked for Optek for 32 years, as a Failure Analysis Engineer, where he used electron microscopes, specialized chemicals, and advanced scientific equipment to investigate manufacturing issues and develop solutions that improve system performance and reliability.

David and his wife, Laura, have lived in Grapevine near the lake since 1983, where they enjoyed time on their sailboat, the "Jolly Rogers". Later in life, David developed a passion for mountain biking and, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, contributed to developing the hike and bike trails surrounding Lake Grapevine, called the "Horseshoe Trail". David was a friend to many and absolutely loved being outside. He had a wonderful sense of humor, a hearty laugh, and a very big personality. David was an avid sports fan who enjoyed watching all kinds of sports, with football being his all-time favorite. From a young age, David was a believer in Christ, and towards the end of his life, developed an even stronger faith and prayer life.

David is survived by his loving wife of 45 ½ years, Laura; his daughters Jennifer (Gerald) Essary and Tricia (Jackie Mayfield) Rogers; and his six cherished grandchildren: Tanner (Alexis) Essary, Garrett (Sierra) Essary, Lexi (Luke Terrana) Mayfield, Madilynn (Michael) Hoeks, Annie Essary, and Brooklynn Essary. He is also survived by four great grandchildren, his older brother James (Emilie) Rogers, and two nieces (Aimee & Celeste).