Wayne Larue Rodgers

Wayne Larue Rodgers, age 88, passed away on July 18, 2019, at his home in Destin, FL.  Born December 19, 1930, in Montgomery, Alabama, he was the son of the late Leonard Rogers and Virginia Ingram.  He is preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Anna Azzurro Rodgers; Brother, Donald Rogers; sister, Charlotte Bagley; sister, Brenda Carpenter; and grandson, Gary Hamilton.

Mr. Wayne grew up tending fields on a peanut farm in Alabama.  At the age of 16, he joined the United States Navy Underwater Demolition Team.  He went on to serve in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, along with multiple tours around the world.  Mr. Wayne retired from the United States Navy in 1966, after serving 20 years.

On September 27, 1950, Wayne Rodgers and Anna Azzurro were wed together.  The two of them lived in four states and raised three children, received four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter. 

Mr. Wayne is survived by his sister, Deborah Tailleur of Miles City, MT; brother in law, Horace Carpenter of Shelbyville, TN; daughter, Sue (Mike) Latragna of Lynchburg, VA; son, Gene of Enterprise, AL; son, Christopher Hill (Audrey) of Destin, FL; grandchildren, Sherree Tolbert (Chris) of Defuniak Springs, FL; Amanda Bittinger (Reuben) of Kingsport, TN; Vanessa Lesnett (Michael) of Clearmont, FL; Great Grandchildren, Camellia Prescott of Valparaiso, FL; Charlotte Lesnett of Clearmont, FL; and great-great granddaughter, Harper Hill of Destin, FL.

Join us as we celebrate the life of Mr. Wayne, a good and faithful servant.  A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 161 Racetrack Road NW, Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547 followed by a funeral service at 3:00 P.M.  Interment will take place at Beal Memorial Cemetery.  

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