Gary Lynn Rodgers, age 53 of Heby, Sweden, passed away Tuesday Dec. 2, 2008, in Sweden. Gary Lynn Rodgers was born, June 16, 1955, in Lubbock, Texas, the second of four children born to Richard David Rodgers Sr. and Dorothy Mae (Ehlo) Rodgers. He graduated from Durant High School in 1973 then attended college at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Gary and his family owned and operated grocery stores throughout the Texoma area. He lived most of his life in Oklahoma before moving to Sweden in 1998. Gary and his wife Zenita have one daughter, Angelika Rodgers. Gary has two sons, Jo and Chris Rodgers from his previous marriage to Debbie (Locke) Rodger. Gary was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Durant. He loved reminiscing about the summers he spent on the farm in Lubbock with his siblings and cousins. He enjoyed listening to music from Black Oak Arkansas, Grand Funk Railroad, and Elvis Presley. He also enjoyed carpentry work, vintage cars and being outdoors. Gary loved to play heated games of volleyball with friends and family. Family was the most important to him. He loved his three children and family with all his heart. Gary loved every precious moment he spent with his only granddaughter Emma Nicole.

He was preceded in death by his father Richard David Rodgers, Sr. on Feb. 7, 2000, his mother Dorothy Mae (Ehlo) Rodgers on Jan, 2, 1992, and his eldest brother Richard David Rodgers, Jr. on Aug, 26, 1982.

He is survived by his wife Zenita Rodgers of Heby, Sweden; son Jo Rodgers and wife Jill (Richards) Rodgers of Durant; son Chris Rodgers of Keller, Texas; daughter Angelika Rodgers of Heby, Sweden; granddaughter Emma Nicole Rodgers of Durant; brother Mike Rodgers of Hendrix, Oklahoma; sister Sherri and husband David Anderson of Durant; sister-in-law Sherry Hudson of Durant; nieces and nephews, Melissa Baggs, Kristen Scoggin, Lindsey Foster, Michelle Jefferson, Michael Rodgers, Jr., Bradley Phelps, Courtney Womble, Nathan Anderson, Heather Qualk; numerous nieces and nephews in Sweden; numerous cousins and a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Durant on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, at 2 p.m. with James Alan Ehlo officiating. Pallbearers will be Brad Phelps, Nathan Anderson, Jerry Downs, Dan Baskin, Michael Rodgers, Jr., Mark Ehlo, Jo Rodgers and Chris Rodgers. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery in Durant under the direction of Dalton-Holmes Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, at Dalton-Holmes Funeral Home in Durant.

In lieu of flowers, a trust fund has been set up at Landmark Bank for Gary’s granddaughter, Emma Rodgers.

Condolences may be sent to the family at dhfh@communicomm.com.

Dalton-Holmes Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements