Spc. Melvin Rodgers

Melvin (Rick) Kenneth Rodgers passed away surrounded by family on June 13, 2023, after a period of increasingly debilitating health issues. He was 74. Rick was outgoing, loyal, and friendly; his personality was appreciated by those lucky enough to have known him. He was loving and protective to his loved ones. Every holiday found him on the phone calling his family and friends, wherever located, to talk and make sure they knew he loved them. Rick was married to his wife and partner, Margaret Rodgers, for twenty-seven years. Her love and support were invaluable as she helped him in both sickness and health over the long course of their marriage. Rick was born in Boley, Oklahoma on November 3, 1948. He was the oldest of the three sons, Rick, Mike, and Tom, of Joseph Thomas and Murrel Joyce Rodgers. The family lived all over the country in his early years before settling in Denver. His father, Joe, was in the Air Force and was transferred regularly. In 1967 Rick graduated from George Washington High School where he was an exceptional athlete. He was a member of the football, basketball, and track teams. After graduating from high school, Rick attended college on basketball and track scholarships, and he was named a junior college All-American high jumper. He served his country honorably in the United States Army after leaving college. Rick loved to read, watch sports, wrestling, and the news. He most especially loved watching wrestling and his westerns. There was not an episode of Gunsmoke and many other old westerns that he had not seen. Rick was blessed with a loving family. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; son Melvin Kenneth Rodgers II and stepson Matthew Dunfee; his granddaughter, Kahlia and her husband Carrington Maxwell; his grandson Damian Blood, whose mother Marsha Blood preceded Rick in death; great-grandchildren, Sharahya Maxwell, Amana Maxwell, Legacy Maxwell, Matthew Maxwell, and La’Miyah Boatner-Blood; his brothers Michael and Tommy; his uncles; cousins Beverly Maloney and Benee Marzette and a host of many others; niece Kira Craig; and great nephew Lamin Touray. Rick’s funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27th at Greater Union Baptist Church, 1880 Xanthia Street, Denver, CO 80220. His interment will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W. Kenyon Ave, Denver, CO 80236 on June 28th at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Myra Penn Smith of Greater Harvest Christian Fellowship will officiate The family wishes to thank everyone for the flowers and requests that any donations be made in his name to the American Heart Association.

Spc. Melvin Rodgers

November 3, 1948 - June 13, 2023