Elew John Rogers

Memorial Services for Elew John Rogers will be held form 4-6 pm on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at First Baptist Church in Zwolle, LA with Dr. Jerry Penfield officiating. John passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 17, 2017 in Shreveport, LA. He was born in New Orleans, LA on September 26, 1950. John graduated from St. Bernard High School in 1968. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1970 and served until 1972 where he was honorably discharged and decorated. John graduated from the university of New Orleans in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography. After graduating from the University of New Orleans, he went on to gain his Master of Science in Geography from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1978. John worked with the USDA-NRCS from 1978-1988 as a soil conservationist in Texas, then transferred to Lake Providence, LA where he was the District Conservationist. John was also the District Conservationist in Holden, OK, and in Many, LA where he retired in 2014. Outside his professional duties John served in several capacities and on several committees for the Choctaw Apache tribe of Ebarb. John served as the federal Native American liaison for all Native American tribes in Louisiana. He was co-founder of the Louisiana Native American Art Fest, and advisor for the land/Powwow Grounds Committee. John was also tribal photographer, promoter, historian, and demonstrator of Native American Arts and Culture. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elew and Enola Rogers, his younger brother, Clyde Rogers, his grandparents Ernest and Angelique LeBoeuf and Elza and Sadie Rogers. Survivors include his sister, Charlotte Housley, brother, Wade Rogers, sister-in-law, Yvonne Rogers Faulkner, numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Zwolle Building Fund or the Choctaw Tribe of Ebarb, Native American Scholarship for Native American Students.