Chesley Turner Rodgers, 88, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at his home.
He was born on April 25, 1938, in Daniel Boone, KY, to the late Mattie Jane Franklin Rodgers and Harold Lee Rodgers. He was a proud retired veteran of the United States Army and served during the Korean War. He served for twenty-four years, in the United States Military, Army Branch and the Army Reserves, where he worked as a tank commander and a mess hall sergeant and retired in 1998. He retired after thirty-eight years from Prudential, and he also retired from the Hopkins County Board of Education as a bus driver. Chesley was always a very productive person and worked many jobs. He was a Kentucky Colonel. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and a lover of travel and adventure. His love for God, his country, and his family surpassed all else. Chesley was a member, Sunday school superintendent, and board member of Fellowship Temple Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Glenn Rodgers; siblings, Ruby Gerald Rodgers, Harold Rodgers, Woodson “Woody” Rodgers, Patricia Rodgers, and an infant brother, Stanley Rodgers; and his mother-in-law, Betty Rickard-Maciag.
His survivors include his wife of forty years, Fay Rickard Rodgers of Madisonville; his daughters, Teresa Rodgers and Heather (Jason) Dunlap; sons, Troy (Traci) Rodgers, Brian (Shannon) Rodgers, and Heath (Jana) Puckett; brother, Frank (Grace) Rodgers; sister, Sandra (Brian) Siegel; his beloved brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Fellowship Temple Church, 300 Weldon Avenue in Madisonville with Pastor Gene Rickard officiating and Bro. Mitch Cotton assisting. Burial at 2 p.m . at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West, 5817 Fort Campbell Blvd, in Hopkinsville, KY. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Army.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour on Thursday at the church. Harris Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Pallbearers are Isaac Dunlap, Elam Puckett, Heath Puckett, Jason Dunlap, Wesley Tichenor, and Jason Wiley.
To protect our vulnerable family and friends, we kindly ask that if you are currently feeling unwell, experiencing symptoms, or have been recently exposed to illness, the family request to please do not enter the church for the funeral service.
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