Thomas Neal Rogers died Saturday, January 9, 2016, at McLeod Hospice House of Florence after several months of illness.  He was born on November 20, 1936, in Mullins, SC to the late Albert Jasper and Kate Dowdle Rogers.  Neal led a life filled with love.  Love for the land he farmed, love for the family he cherished, love for the church he served, love for every friend in his life, and love for his Clemson Tigers!  He graduated from Lake View High School, where he played football and was very involved with 4-H and Future Farmers of America.  He then graduated from Clemson College with a degree in Animal Husbandry and Agriculture.  While at Celmson he worked with the animal husbandry department and on the National Judging team which traveled and won many competitions.  After graduation Neal worked as the livestock manager at Pleasant Point Plantation in Beaufort, SC, where he showed the Winn Dixie Catlle in competitions all over the United Sates.  He then returned home to partner with his father in farming where they grew tobacco, cotton, corn, soybeans, and also were award winning cattle and swine producers.  He was a co-owner of Rogers Cotton Gin.  After actively retiring from farming, the Angus cows Neal kept to breed were a source of pleasure and pride.  This also gave him a good excuse to get in his truck several times a day to go and check to “see how the babies are doing.”
Neal presently served as Chairman of the Dillon Soil and Water Conservation Service, a board member of Marco Rural Water Company, Treasurer of Fork Baptist Church since 1968, and Trustee of the Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.  Through the years he had served on the South Carolina Pork Board, Federal Land Bank Board of Directors, Dillon County Board of Education, Pee Dee Academy Board of Directors, and Camp Pinehill Board of Directors, and was a member of Fork Masonic Lodge #258.  He and his father were proud member of IPTAY since 1937.
Neal was one of the best friends a person could have.  He saw the good in everyone, and would say, “He (or She) is the best friend I have”.  He truly believed this.  He loved traveling, trying out new places to eat, and no matter how good or bad the food was, he would say, “Best meal I have ever had!”  Win or lose, there was no bigger Clemson football fan than Neal.  His happy place was anything Clemson, and watching Ryan participate in all sports.  
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Gail Turner Rogers; son, Sanford Neal Rogers of Simpsonville, SC; daughter and son-in-law, Claudia Anne Rogers Brewer and 
Rev. Jason Brewer of Mullins; the absolute love of his life and partner in adventure and mischief, grandson, Thomas Ryan Brewer of Mullins; sister, Ann Rogers McLellan of Greenville, SC.
Services will be held at Fork Baptist Church at 2:30 P.M. Monday conducted by Rev. Jason Brewer, Rev. Lester Branham, and Rev. Jim Warren.  Visitation will be held at the Rogers Home from 3:00-5:00 P.M. Sunday.  Burial will be private directed by Cooper Funeral Home of Dillon.
Memorials may be made to Fork Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, C/O Claire Baker, 1821 First Loop Road, Fork, SC  29543 or Pee Dee Academy, P.O. Box 449, Mullins, SC 29574.