Grafton’s ‘most loyal Bearcat’ honored

The Grafton Rotary Club honored Marvin Doug Rogers as its 2012 Rotary Citizen of the Year. Pictured, from left are Mike Ware, Rich Bord, Jeff McCloy, Scott Wright, Lorraine Isner, Dan Lowther, Doug Rogers, John “Casey” Jones, and Austin Upton.

GRAFTON – Every year, the Grafton Rotary Club gathers together toward the end of their fiscal year to honor one Taylor County resident as its Citizen of the Year.

This year, the decision was unanimous, all of the members agreed that this person stands out among all others, and deserves the honor, as much, if not more, than the honorees of the past.

Marvin Doug Rogers, more affectionately known as “Dougie,” has been an inspirational aspect of Grafton his entire life. A plaque, honoring Doug’s service to the Grafton High School Baseball Team read “Presented to Doug Rogers, Grafton High School (GHS) Baseball Manager for 35 years with the GHS Baseball Program.”

“At this time of year, we enjoy recognizing someone in our community, who has significantly made a contribution above and beyond,” began Grafton Rotary President Lorraine Isner. “We get this opportunity to recognize a friend, today we recognize our 2012 Citizen of the Year, Dougie Rogers. This was a unanimous decision a few months back. Everyone agreed that this person had, for all his adult life, contributed every single day to someone, or something, in the community.”

Isner spoke of Doug’s untiring efforts at the Grafton Fire Department, the Taylor County Social Center, and at Grafton High School.

“In this community, as a citizen, I have been really blessed,” Doug stated. “I don’t usually say very much, but Lord bless you guys very much. I think this community, and our athletes, are the best in the world, because they always do their best, on and off the field. As being citizen of the year, thank you very much, and Lord bless you guys.”

Grafton Fire Department Chief, John “Casey” Jones, spoke of how, in true Dougie fashion, Dougie recognized everyone else.

“Today is your day Dougie,” Jones stated. “No one deserves this award more than you.”

Jones continued by relaying how Doug has been a member of the department for longer than he has, and that during the Spirit of Grafton Celebration, Doug is there from daylight till dusk, helping us to make the annual celebration the success that it has become.

“Thank you for your dedication to the department throughout the years,” Jones concluded.

President of the Taylor County Biddy Basketball League, Scott Wright, informed the crowd that he and Doug grew up on the same street.

“Doug is always our a-number-one backer,” Wright stated. “He is a great ambassador for the city of Grafton. Doug just shows up, and he does it. The Biddy League owes you a big thank you Doug, for all that you do. We are a family at the Biddy League, and you are a part of it. No one deserves this more than you.”

“Congratulations to the Rotary for making the best decision you could make,” stated former GHS athletic director, and long-time coach, Austin Upton.

Upton recalled the first year that Doug got involved in the baseball program. Upton stated that the first year, Doug was at every practice and home game. The second year, Upton stated, he was at all of them.

“He was always first at practice, first at the games, and first on the bus,” Upton continued. “He was always thinking of the other person. It was always; ‘they did a good job coach.’ Everybody in this community is blessed by his presence and what he does. Doug, I love you, everybody in here loves you, and everybody in the community loves you.”

GHS Athletic Director, Rich Bord, stated “your dedication and devotion to GHS, its athletes, coaches, and friends, is unmarked by everybody. If there was an award for the most loyal Bearcat ever, your name would be at the top.”

Bord went on to read letters from GHS Head Football Coach Mark Yoho, and former head coach Mike Skinner, both had heard of the honor, but were unable to attend the meeting.

Yoho’s letter stated “every day, you bring a new opportunity to shine your light on us, and this community.”

Skinner relayed stories of Doug, and his many years in support of GHS athletics.

“A Doug Rogers celebration is fitting, but it has been a long time coming to the number one all-time Bearcat,” Skinner’s letter concluded.

“When it is tough to get up in the morning, I think of two people, my son Sam, and you,” Bord continued. “I am proud, not only to represent the athletic department at GHS, but also to be your friend.”

Bord presented Doug with a Grafton High School Letter, and a football jersey from the 2008 Bearcat State Champion Football Team. He explained that the jersey sports the number 11, but that it should be looked at, as two number ones, number one in the sports department, and number one in the community.

Bord also presented Doug with a lifetime pass to every Grafton High School sporting event.

As Jeff McCloy presented Doug with the aforementioned plaque for his 35 years of service to the Grafton High School Baseball Program, he stated, “you make me feel great every time I see you on the field.”

“This man is always putting a smile on people’s faces,” stated Rotarian Mark Zeck. “There is no person more deserving of this award than you Doug. You are an ambassador of this town.”

“I am just as proud, if not prouder, of you than all the kids at the middle school,” stated Rotarian Kermit “Butch” Bias.

Isner presented Doug with the Grafton Rotary Club 2012 Citizen of the Year Award, a lapel pin with the seal of the city of Grafton, and a gift card for Dominos Pizza.

“Thank you to all of you, and especially the school for what they did for me,” Doug stated.

Rotarian, Dave Rogers, summed up the overwhelming spirit of the crowd with his final thought. “A great Rotarian once said, that a good Rotary meeting leaves no dry eyes in the house. We accomplished this today.”