Yesterday, we all lost one of the great Pier Icons. Mr, Harley Rodgers passed away. It was a great pleasure knowing HR and he will be missed by all. He's in heaven now and no longer in pain. Rest in peace Mr. Harley.
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Yesterday, we all lost one of the great Pier Icons. Mr, Harley Rodgers passed away. It was a great pleasure knowing HR and he will be missed by all. He's in heaven now and no longer in pain. Rest in peace Mr. Harley.
Hate to hear this. Prayers for his family.
I got word late last night. I will miss hearing "I can't tell you everything". It was a rare occasion that his cooler didn't have some slime or blood in it when he left the pier.
I can picture him and Roy fishing together off a pier in Heaven. Will surely be missed.
One great man. I look up at him today the same as when I first met him forty years ago. Made a few early AM trips on the pier this year and the first thing that sticks in my head is not seeing R&H giving the shallows Hell. RIP O'le friends.
So sad to hear this news.Knew he was not well. Am coming down tomorrow and was hoping to see him. Told him on my last trip down how much he meant to me and my wife over these many years. He taught us everything about fishing. Pray that he and she are on the big pier in Heaven and enjoying each other's company. Anyone know when his funeral will be? Thx in advance.
It's difficult for me to imagine the pier without Harley.
As did many others, I learned so much from him.
At least, he is no longer hurting.
Rest in peace my friend.
Great man and a wealth of knowledge. The shallows will not be the same. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
In every way Harley embodied the spirit of the pier community for the past 50 years.
Not just by his fishing prowess, but in his willingness to share that knowledge with others.
His humor and homespun wit are legendary.
Just about everyone who has walked out on the 'new' or 'old' pier has shared pleasant conversations or fishing stories with Harley.
His absence on the rail has been sorely missed throughout most of this year. And we all are downcast at this loss.
Please keep Harley's family in your thoughts and prayers.
But no doubt The Good Lord will find him a "keeper"...
This was a classic 'Harley moment' after the pier opened in 2009...
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...57&oe=5D67E038
Harley Rogers, trout whisperer...
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...f5&oe=5D6B2092
So long, old friend...
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...f7&oe=5D5F06A2
A role model to some and a true ambassador to the pier and the sport of fishing.
Rest in peace my friend.
It was a privilege to have shared the pier with him.
We all knew that the day was coming, but who can say he's truly prepared for the loss of a friend? But what a life, right? Harley was generous and witty, candid, knowledgeable and ultimately proficient. I've never known anyone like him who would get out before first light (every day but Sunday of course) find his own bait and regularly be hooked up with a speckled trout or redfish as the sun rose.
A visitor from Oklahoma was asking about Harley just yesterday. She told of how, years ago, Harley had called her over to give her assistance so that she could catch something. She looked forward to seeing him every visit and was sad to discover that he had been going through a difficult time. We all were sad like that. I'm honored to have gotten to know Harley and I'll think about him every dawn and reflect on how much he would have enjoyed the morning bite.
Definitely a loss. But at least he can spend his days fishing up above.
I had a chance to fish with Harley several times during my trips down in the winter, we'd both be on the pier fairly early. We'd both freeline shrimp if the specs were there and he'd do the most of catching and I'd do most of the netting....lol. He was very direct in his conversations but always kind and made you feel at ease. I didn't have the chance to know him like many of you but he was a man that left a lasting impression on me. I will miss him but I'm also happy he is no longer in pain.
Seems like a commemorative plaque or something to mark his spot on the rail would be appropriate.
My wife and I will miss Harley as well as the multitudes who greeted him each morning. I'd like to say that Harley had a life before the pier. He was a Veteran of at least 2 wars and retired from the Navy with Honor. When tge flag is presented to his Daughter these words will be said: This flag is presented to you on behalf of the President of these United States and a grateful Nation. For Honorable and faithful service rendered by Your Beloved. Harley embodied those attributes that all Good Americans cherish. I will miss my friend.
I thought the same thingQuote:
Originally Posted by Philip Sommers
Sadness-mornings on the pier won't be the same. The last few days he fished for sheepshead on the octi and showed everyone how it's done. I hope he's in a better place where the rail is never crowded and the fish are willing.
https://i.postimg.cc/7P7pd6k5/IMG-6881.jpgfallout shady sands
After threads like this have allowed us all to express ourselves and later become inactive, perhaps they could find a home in a Memorial forum?
"Move along." "There are no fish in the shallows." "I can't tell you everything." "Dang tourists." What a great role model he was! Harley helped so many of us "tourists" learn how to actually "catch" instead of just "fishing". Spent many a day fishing with him and learning from his vast knowledge. It's hard to put in words how generous and kind he was. My family and I will truly miss him. I am sure he is at peace with the Lord now!
Harley Edwin Rogers | GulfCoastNewsToday.com
Quote:
Harley Edwin Rogers
Posted Friday, May 10, 2019 4:03 pm
Harley Edwin Rogers, age 92, a resident of Foley, Alabama, passed away May 9, 2019.
Harley was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in WWII and the Korean conflict. He was known as the Mayor of the Gulf State Park Pier and a member of Genesis Church, formerly Elberta Alliance Church.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jaime Brook Neumiller; two brothers; two sisters; and his parents, Hurdis and Sarah Rogers.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Aurelia S. Rogers; two daughters, Nancy (Michael) Marshall, Karen Welsh all of Foley, Alabama; grandson, Michael (Katherine) Neumiller; and a great-grandson, Harley James of Maryland; a sister, Ruby Rader of Illinois; many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Foley, Monday, May 13, 2019 at 11 a.m.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time.
Interment will follow at Elberta Public Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Genesis Church, 541 Cotton Creek Dr., Gulf Shores, AL 36542.
The family would like a special thank you to Dr. Allen, Diversicare Rehab and to the staff at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., 2551 S. McKenzie St., Foley, AL 36535, 251-943-2391, Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc : Daphne, Alabama (AL) : Elberta, Alabama (AL) : Fairhope, Alabama (AL) : Foley, Alabama (AL).
It was reported that Lamar has committed to allowing a memorial plaque of some type to be mounted on the rail in the shallows.
In the interim, I thought of making donations to the Veterans Wall in his honor would be appropriate:
https://www.alapark.com/Gulf-State-P...Education-Pier
Quote:
Veteran's Wall
Veteran's get free sightseeing, discounted fishing permits ($6.00 daily pass), and specials throughout the year. The Veterans Sponsorship program is fund based. Contributions to the fund can be made by anyone for any amount at the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier. Proceeds from Memorial Wall plaques are also contributed to the Veteran's Sponsorship program. For more information, contact the Pier Manager at (251) 967-FISH or via email.
What a great man . What a great life! I only knew Harley since the new pier opened, He gave me lot's of tips and even some fish(2 specks last March). It was an honor / privilege knowing him. RIP friend . I wanna say keep catch'in cause I know your fish'in. God bless you Harley, will miss you and your smoked fish. RIP jjm
Like so many, I sure wish I could have attended Harley's funeral with his family and so many friends!
Sunshine called me and asked that several of you said you "don't do facebook", but wanted to know about donating to his memorial fund.
Here is the direct link...
https://www.facebook.com/donate/367909057153889/
Obviously I’m late not being on the board the last few years but something crossed my mind and directed me to search here for his name. I found what I feared. Not much to say that hasn’t been said. RIP.