Jump to content

John W. Rogers Sr.: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Line 42: Line 42:
==Personal Life==
==Personal Life==


On his first day as a [[1L]] at the [[University of Chicago Law School]], Rogers Sr met [[Jewel Lafontant]], a young woman who would become the first African-American woman to graduate from the [[University of Chicago Law School]] and serve under two U.S. presidents.<ref> Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html </ref> Hey married in 1946. After graduating from the [[University of Chicago Law School]] in 1948, Rogers Sr and Jewel formed their own law firm. In 1961, Rogers Sr and Jewel divorced.<ref> Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html </ref>
On his first day as a [[1L]] at the [[University of Chicago Law School]], Rogers Sr met [[Jewel Lafontant]] (born Jewel Carter Stradford), a young woman who would become the first African-American woman to graduate from the [[University of Chicago Law School]] and serve under two U.S. presidents.<ref> Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html </ref> Hey married in 1946. After graduating from the [[University of Chicago Law School]] in 1948, Rogers Sr and Jewel formed their own law firm. In 1961, Rogers Sr and Jewel divorced.<ref> Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html </ref>


In 1968, Rogers Sr met fellow University of Chicago graduate Gwendolyn on a blind date. After dating for 33 years, Rogers Sr and Gwendolyn married in 2001.<ref> Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html </ref>
In 1968, Rogers Sr met fellow University of Chicago graduate Gwendolyn on a blind date. After dating for 33 years, Rogers Sr and Gwendolyn married in 2001.<ref> Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html </ref>

Revision as of 13:34, 25 July 2021

John W. Rogers Sr.
Born
John W. Rogers Sr.

September 3, 1918
Knoxville, Tennessee, US
DiedJanuary 24, 2014(2014-01-24) (aged 95)
Chicago, Illinois, Cook County, US
Resting placeOak Woods Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois, Cook County
Occupations
  • Military officer
  • fighter pilot
  • attorney
  • judge

John W. Rogers Sr. (September 3, 1918 - January 21, 2014) was an attorney, Cook County, Illinois juvenile court judge, U.S. Army Air Force/U.S. Air Force officer and combat fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Pursuit Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen or "Red Tails".[1] He was one of the 1007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.[2]

Rogers Sr. was also notable for being among the first thirty-four African American combat fighter pilots. On August 5, 1942, Rogers Sr. graduated from the Tuskegee Advanced Pilot Cadet program as a member of the fifth-ever Cadet Class Single Engine Section SE-42-G.[3][4]

Rogers Sr. was the father of John W. Rogers Jr. (born March 31, 1958), an investor, philanthropist and founder of Ariel Capital Management (now Ariel Investments, LLC),[5] founded in 1983.[6] He is chairman and CEO of the company,[7] which is the United States' largest minority-run mutual fund firm.[8] He has been a regular contributor to Forbes magazine for most of the last decade.[9]

Early Life

Rogers Sr. was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on September 3, 1918. He was the son of John Rogers (circa 1887 - 1930) and Ann Rogers (died 1922).[10][11][12] His siblings included Geraldine Rogers, Anise Rogers and Juanita Rogers.[13]

In 1922, Rogers Sr's mother Ann died when Rogers Sr was 4.[14] In 1930, Rogers Sr's father John passed away when Rogers Sr was 12. Soon after, Rogers Sr and his sisters were relocated to Chicago to live with their uncle, Henry Tanner, who proved to be very benevolent and an exceptional role model for Rogers Sr. and his sisters.[15][16]

Rogers Sr attended Tilden Technical High School. In 1941, Rogers Sr earned a bachelor's degree in education from Chicago State University. During this time, he earned a pilot's license through the Civilian Pilot Training Program offered on the South Side of Chicago.[17]

Military Career, Tuskegee Airmen

After obtaining his pilot license, Rogers Sr enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. On August 5, 1942, Rogers Sr graduated from the Tuskegee Advanced Pilot Cadet program as a member of the fifth-ever Cadet Class Single Engine Section SE-42-G, receiving his wings and commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.[18][19] Rogers Sr was one of America's first thirty-four African American combat fighter pilots.[20] The U.S. Army Air Corps assigned him to the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron. Rogers Sr was one of the original 28 99th Fighter Squadron pilots to be deployed overseas.

During World War II, Rogers Sr. flew 120 combat missions throughout the European Theater. Fellow pilots considered Rogers a highly-skilled dive bomber pilot.[21]

After World War II, Rogers Sr left the U.S. Army Air Corps with the rank of Captain.

Post-Military Education, Law/Judicial Career

Rogers Sr. attended the University of Chicago Law School, graduating in 1948 with a Juris Doctor degree. Though the University of Chicago's admissions office initially rejected Rogers Sr, Rogers Sr returned to the office donning his U.S. Army Air Corps' officer uniform, making an argument that anyone who has served America during the war deserved admittance. The University of Chicago Law School rescinded its rejection, admitting Rogers Sr relied on academic funding provided by the GI Bill.[22]

After graduating from the University of Chicago Law School in 1948, Rogers Sr and his then-wife, attorney Jewel Lafontant, formed their own law firm. In 1974, Rogers Sr joined the law firm Earl L. Neal & Associates (now Neal & Leroy), working there until 1977.[23]

In May 1977, Rogers Sr. was appointed a Cook County Associate Judge.[24] Several months later, Rogers Sr. was assigned to the Juvenile Division where he served 21 years as a Cook County Juvenile Court Judge.[25] [26] In 1998, Rogers Sr. retired from the bench.[27] [28]

Personal Life

On his first day as a 1L at the University of Chicago Law School, Rogers Sr met Jewel Lafontant (born Jewel Carter Stradford), a young woman who would become the first African-American woman to graduate from the University of Chicago Law School and serve under two U.S. presidents.[29] Hey married in 1946. After graduating from the University of Chicago Law School in 1948, Rogers Sr and Jewel formed their own law firm. In 1961, Rogers Sr and Jewel divorced.[30]

In 1968, Rogers Sr met fellow University of Chicago graduate Gwendolyn on a blind date. After dating for 33 years, Rogers Sr and Gwendolyn married in 2001.[31]

Rogers Sr. was the father of John W. Rogers Jr. (born March 31, 1958), an investor, philanthropist and founder of Ariel Capital Management (now Ariel Investments, LLC),[32] founded in 1983.[33] He is chairman and CEO of the company,[34] which is the United States' largest minority-run mutual fund firm.[8] He has been a regular contributor to Forbes magazine for most of the last decade.[9]

Rogers Sr. was a longtime resident of Chicago, Illinois's Hyde Park neighborhood.[35]

Death

On January 21, 2014, Rogers Sr. passed away at the University of Chicago Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, Cook County. His memorial service was held at the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel in Chicago, Illinois. He was interred at Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois, Cook County.

Legacy

  • In 2007, Rogers Sr., along with the collective group of Tuskegee Airmen, received the Congressional Gold Medal.[36]
  • In 2012, the University of Chicago Law School named its Admissions Office after Rogers Sr. and his late first wife, Jewel Lafontant.[37]
  • In January 2012, President Barack Obama, a friend of Rogers Sr's son John W. Rogers Jr., invited Rogers Sr and a group of surviving Tuskegee Airmen to the White House to view the movie Red Tails.[38]
  • In 2014, the Illinois House of Representatives filed House Resolution HR0839-LRB098-19210-MST 54362 in honor of Rogers Sr's passing and enduring legacy.[39]
  • In 2016, the City of Chicago renamed section of 57th Street between Stony Island and Cornell Drive on the Chicago's South Side in honor of Rogers Sr.[40]

See also

References

  1. ^ Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html
  2. ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  3. ^ CAF Rise Above. "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster." https://cafriseabove.org/the-tuskegee-airmen/tuskegee-airmen-pilot-roster/ . This data derives from CAF Rise Above's research project compiling data from Tuskegee Airmen historians including the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  4. ^ CAF Rise Above. "Class SE-42-G." https://cafriseabove.org/artifact/class-se-42-g/
  5. ^ "Ariel Investments, LLC". Ariel Investments.
  6. ^ Tilson, Whitney; John Heins (December 20, 2005). "Outsourcing For Outsized Profits: Whitney Tilson and John Heins, Value Investor Insight". Forbes. Forbes.com Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
  7. ^ Lim, Paul J. (July 26, 2007). "The Real-Estate Market Still Stinks, but Some Housing Stocks May Be Tempting". U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News & World Report, L.P. Archived from the original on April 23, 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
  8. ^ a b Quiñones, Eric (November 8, 2007). "Former Men's Basketball Captain John Rogers '80 Wins Woodrow Wilson Award". GoPrincetonTigers.com. Princeton University. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
  9. ^ a b "By John W. Rogers Jr". Forbes. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2008.
  10. ^ Geni. "Judge John W. Rogers, Lt. USA." https://www.geni.com/people/Judge-John-W-Rogers-Lt-USA/6000000040980038421
  11. ^ Geni. "John Rogers." https://www.geni.com/people/John-Rogers/6000000040980499047.
  12. ^ Geni. "nn Rogers." https://www.geni.com/people/nn-Rogers/6000000040980463062
  13. ^ Geni. "Judge John W. Rogers, Lt. USA." https://www.geni.com/people/Judge-John-W-Rogers-Lt-USA/6000000040980038421
  14. ^ Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html
  15. ^ The History Makers. "The Honorable John Rogers, Sr." https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/honorable-john-rogers-sr
  16. ^ Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html
  17. ^ Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html
  18. ^ CAF Rise Above. "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster." https://cafriseabove.org/the-tuskegee-airmen/tuskegee-airmen-pilot-roster/ . This data derives from CAF Rise Above's research project compiling data from Tuskegee Airmen historians including the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  19. ^ CAF Rise Above. "Class SE-42-G." https://cafriseabove.org/artifact/class-se-42-g/
  20. ^ CAF Rise Above. "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster." https://cafriseabove.org/the-tuskegee-airmen/tuskegee-airmen-pilot-roster/
  21. ^ U Chicago News. Wen Huang. Jan 23, 2014. John W. Rogers Sr., JD'48, judge and member of Tuskegee Airmen, 1918-2014
  22. ^ Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html
  23. ^ Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html
  24. ^ Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html
  25. ^ Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html
  26. ^ Inspirational Conversations. "LEGEND & PIONEER Leaving Behind Legacy of Excellence John W. Rogers Sr." January 28, 2014. https://inspirationalconversations.blogspot.com/2014/01/legend-pioneer-leaving-behind-legacy-of.html
  27. ^ Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html
  28. ^ Inspirational Conversations. "LEGEND & PIONEER Leaving Behind Legacy of Excellence John W. Rogers Sr." January 28, 2014. https://inspirationalconversations.blogspot.com/2014/01/legend-pioneer-leaving-behind-legacy-of.html
  29. ^ Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html
  30. ^ Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html
  31. ^ Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html
  32. ^ "Ariel Investments, LLC". Ariel Investments.
  33. ^ Tilson, Whitney; John Heins (December 20, 2005). "Outsourcing For Outsized Profits: Whitney Tilson and John Heins, Value Investor Insight". Forbes. Forbes.com Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
  34. ^ Lim, Paul J. (July 26, 2007). "The Real-Estate Market Still Stinks, but Some Housing Stocks May Be Tempting". U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News & World Report, L.P. Archived from the original on April 23, 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
  35. ^ Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html
  36. ^ U Chicago News. Wen Huang. Jan 23, 2014. John W. Rogers Sr., JD'48, judge and member of Tuskegee Airmen, 1918-2014
  37. ^ Inspirational Conversations. "LEGEND & PIONEER Leaving Behind Legacy of Excellence John W. Rogers Sr." January 28, 2014. https://inspirationalconversations.blogspot.com/2014/01/legend-pioneer-leaving-behind-legacy-of.html
  38. ^ Chicago Tribune. "John W. Rogers Sr., 1918-2014; Tuskegee airman became lawyer, judge." BOB GOLDSBOROUGH and SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE. JAN 22, 2014. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-obit-john-rogers-senior-met-20140122-story.html
  39. ^ House Resolution HR0839-LRB098-19210-MST 54362. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/98/HR/09800HR0839.htm
  40. ^ ABC 7. "South Side street renamed in honor of Tuskegee Airman. July 5, 2016. https://abc7chicago.com/john-w-rogers-sr-tuskegee-airman-57th-street-airmen/1414557/
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_W._Rogers_Sr.&oldid=1035406393"