Date of death: 07/12/2025
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1968
Joseph L. (Larry) Rogers, 82, passed away suddenly on July 12, 2025, in Louisville, KY. At the time of his passing he was surrounded by his loving wife Cathy and family who adored him.
Larry was born on November 29, 1942, in New Haven, KY to the late Agnes (Boone) and Harry Rogers. He graduated from Saint Thomas Seminary and Saint Meinrad Theological School, and in 1968 was ordained a priest. After leaving the priesthood, he completed a Master’s degree in social work at the University of Louisville. He later joined Metropolitan Social Services Department where he met Cathy (née McFarland), whom he married in 1984. In 1982, he joined his father and brothers at the family’s business, MAC Manufacturing.
Larry’s diverse talents and love of adventure took him to many beautiful places around the world – setting up distillery equipment in Ireland and the Caribbean; biking with Cathy through France; and joining his siblings, nieces, and nephews in the mountains or by the sea. An uncle to 10, he never missed a graduation, wedding, or birth. Larry loved sipping bourbon with his friends and family including “Harry T’s” that he bottled himself. He was a dog whisperer and adored his rescue Wheaten Terriers. A natural entertainer, his stories were legendary and his deep and mischievous laughter was irresistible.
In all ways, Larry devoted his life to the service and care of others. Until the day he died, he and Cathy spent countless hours volunteering for organizations such as Meals on Wheels and Repair Affair and were partners in Vision Homes. He could fix anything, and loved doing so – though not as much as taking things apart. He deeply enjoyed figuring out how things work and engineering clever solutions to help those he loved. When not helping others, Larry spent his time improving his yellow 1969 Corvette and piloting (but more often maintaining) his 1958 Cessna 175. He fought valiantly against squirrels invading his bird feeders, and we believe this was the one and only problem he could not solve.
Larry is survived by the love of his life, Cathy, his siblings Rose Mary Wargel (Tom), Joann Carrico (Donnie), Janette Rogers, and Mike Rogers (Betty). His memory lives on with his ten nieces and nephews and seven great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his father (Harry), mother (Agnes), sister (Mary), and brother (Jim).