Harold Richard Rodgers

Harold Richard Rodgers was reunited with the love of his life on Friday January 14th, 2022. Born on November 22, 1932, in Toledo, Ohio to Harold and Angeline Rodgers. Harold was a Woodward High graduate where he played football, basketball, and of course danced with all the ladies. Harold joined the U.S. Navy in 1951 and wanted to sail the seas, instead he landed an aircraft and earned his wings. Pop served as a flight engineer and was part of the VP-44 squadron during the Korean War. After returning home in 1955, Harold was employed with American Shipbuilding / Toledo Shipbuilding where he worked as a loftsman for 14 years. While working days building ships, he attended the University of Toledo by night. After many long nights pop earned the degree of Industrial Plant Maintenance. In 1957 Harold married his high school sweetheart, Vanason, and they soon started their family. Harold was an active father to his four children for many years. He served as assistant scout master to his son boy scout troop, president of the PTA, and baseball coach to little league at school. There were lots of dance lessons for the girls too. Shortly before retiring as a boilermaker, in 1989 Harold and wife Vanason opened a sports card shop in Rossford. While maintaining the shop Harold created a basketball league and called it the “Maverick Hoops”. The league was created pop said, so that every child had an opportunity to play the sport he had enjoyed so much. After working 30 years as a boilermaker Harold retired from Local 85. It didn’t take long after retirement for pop to “discover” the game of golf. Mom said his best game was a 91, and us kids are certain it was with the help of BIG BIRTHA. As a golfer Harold volunteered all his time and energy at the Bayview Retirees Golf course here in Toledo. This course is run entirely by volunteers and is for retirees over age 55. Harold’s last job was folding boxes at Mama Mary’s Pizza shop. Serving others gave pop great joy and therefore was active in many different areas. Harold was a Master Mason, a Shriner, a member of the American Legion, and the Legion of Honor. President of the Craftsman for 4 years, a Shriner since 1982, and Commander for two years with the Legion of Honor are just a few of his many accomplishments. Harold was a member of the Hillbillies and the Wood County Shrine Club. The shrine circus is where you could find him volunteering for more then 20 years. Christmas parties for the children pop planned for several years, along with sponsoring several children in their journey with the Shriners Hospital for Children. Our father always gave unselfishly of his time and energy, always willing to help family, friends and strangers.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents: Harold and Angeline, beloved wife Vanason, and Grand-daughter Destiny. He leaves behind his children Patrick (Joyce) Rodgers, Kelly (Rick) Herrera, Tracy (Vince) Hornik, Colleen (Danny) Hannah, Jeff Miller, sister, Patricia (Richard) Ball also surviving are 10 Grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, 2 nieces.
Service will be Sunday, January 23rd at the Bersticker-Scott Funeral Home, 3453 Heatherdowns Blvd. Toledo, Ohio 43614. Viewing will be 12-4 pm. with a brief service by the American Legion followed by the Toledo Ft. Industry Lodge No. 144 F & AM starting at 4:00 p.m. Please join the family to celebrate our father after the service. American Legion Hall 206 S. Byrne Road Toledo, Ohio 43615
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Michael J. Fox Foundation