Donald Ray Rodgers
April 10, 1926 — July 6, 2019
Donald Ray (Donnie) Rodgers was born April 10, 1926, in Pleasantville, Iowa, the son of James Knox Polk Rodgers and Ruby (Dabb) Rodgers.
As a young man, Donnie’s family lived in Pleasantville, IA, until moving to Attica, IA, where he graduated from high school. In 1945 Donnie met the love of his life, Marie Harrington, in the Speed Drug Store off the square of Knoxville. The couple were united in marriage on November 10, 1946, in Washington, Iowa. Knoxville became their home for the next 71 yrs while living in the same house on Main Street for 60 of those years, raising four children. The last year he and Marie lived in Ames, IA, in an Assisted Living facility to be near family. In January of 1947, Donnie started work at Community National Bank in Knoxville where he served as a teller and clerked auctions at the local sale barn. This job led to a 70 year career in banking, working for Community National Bank, Brenton Bank and Wells Fargo Bank, all in the same building. While at the bank he always greeted everyone warmly and with a smile and a story. Most of his stories ended with a funny punch line, some more appropriate than others. If customers didn’t see Donnie they would hear his signature whistling and/or singing. He lived his life bent on helping others and truly was a customer centric banker. Donnie became a Knoxville icon while riding his Western Flyer bicycle the four blocks to/from work for nearly 50 yrs, until he stopped riding at the age of 87. He was bestowed the title of “Mr. Knoxville” by the Chamber of Commerce for recognition of his many community service and volunteering efforts. He was involved in a multitude of community affairs: he was a longtime member of the Chamber of Commerce, Ambassadors, and Rotary, a member and officer of the Marion County Fair Board, the First United Methodist Church, a key figure in the creation of the Knoxville Heritage Foundation, and was a lifelong supporter of the Marion County 4H and FFA. Donnie was named “Marion County Volunteer of the Year, 1996.” He met and impacted countless Iowa residents while clerking farm and house sales throughout his career, across all of central Iowa. While banking was his profession, he was a farmer from childhood. For nearly four decades, he partnered with his brother Doyle in a small livestock operation on the north edge of Knoxville, raising hogs and cattle.
Donnie’s family was the center of his life. His Main Street home was often the place for family dinners and gatherings. The home was also the place where many of his Monday night pitch games were played with his friends for over 5 decades.
Donnie passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2019, at Bickford Cottage, in Ames, IA, at the age of 93 years.
In addition to his parents, Donnie was preceded in death by his siblings: Dale Rodgers, Doyle Rodgers and Darlene Rose and his granddaughter, Adrienne Allard.
Those left to cherish Donnie’s memory include his loving wife of 72 years, Marie; children: Donna (Tom) Jackson of Ames, IA; Dixie (Tom) Prast of Livermore, CA; Kevin (Cris) Rodgers of Gravois Mills, MO; and Randy (Kelly) Rodgers of Ames, IA. Grandchildren: Brad Allard, Carrie (Blake) Kleppe, Ryan (Kari) Greenlee, Evan (Tara) Prast, Stacia (Jared) Grant, Megan Gist, Jordan Rodgers, Matt (Laura) Rodgers and Kyle Rodgers. 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild and a host of other family members and friends.
Donnie (DR) Rodgers, aka Mr. Knoxville, will be missed.
As a young man, Donnie’s family lived in Pleasantville, IA, until moving to Attica, IA, where he graduated from high school. In 1945 Donnie met the love of his life, Marie Harrington, in the Speed Drug Store off the square of Knoxville. The couple were united in marriage on November 10, 1946, in Washington, Iowa. Knoxville became their home for the next 71 yrs while living in the same house on Main Street for 60 of those years, raising four children. The last year he and Marie lived in Ames, IA, in an Assisted Living facility to be near family. In January of 1947, Donnie started work at Community National Bank in Knoxville where he served as a teller and clerked auctions at the local sale barn. This job led to a 70 year career in banking, working for Community National Bank, Brenton Bank and Wells Fargo Bank, all in the same building. While at the bank he always greeted everyone warmly and with a smile and a story. Most of his stories ended with a funny punch line, some more appropriate than others. If customers didn’t see Donnie they would hear his signature whistling and/or singing. He lived his life bent on helping others and truly was a customer centric banker. Donnie became a Knoxville icon while riding his Western Flyer bicycle the four blocks to/from work for nearly 50 yrs, until he stopped riding at the age of 87. He was bestowed the title of “Mr. Knoxville” by the Chamber of Commerce for recognition of his many community service and volunteering efforts. He was involved in a multitude of community affairs: he was a longtime member of the Chamber of Commerce, Ambassadors, and Rotary, a member and officer of the Marion County Fair Board, the First United Methodist Church, a key figure in the creation of the Knoxville Heritage Foundation, and was a lifelong supporter of the Marion County 4H and FFA. Donnie was named “Marion County Volunteer of the Year, 1996.” He met and impacted countless Iowa residents while clerking farm and house sales throughout his career, across all of central Iowa. While banking was his profession, he was a farmer from childhood. For nearly four decades, he partnered with his brother Doyle in a small livestock operation on the north edge of Knoxville, raising hogs and cattle.
Donnie’s family was the center of his life. His Main Street home was often the place for family dinners and gatherings. The home was also the place where many of his Monday night pitch games were played with his friends for over 5 decades.
Donnie passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2019, at Bickford Cottage, in Ames, IA, at the age of 93 years.
In addition to his parents, Donnie was preceded in death by his siblings: Dale Rodgers, Doyle Rodgers and Darlene Rose and his granddaughter, Adrienne Allard.
Those left to cherish Donnie’s memory include his loving wife of 72 years, Marie; children: Donna (Tom) Jackson of Ames, IA; Dixie (Tom) Prast of Livermore, CA; Kevin (Cris) Rodgers of Gravois Mills, MO; and Randy (Kelly) Rodgers of Ames, IA. Grandchildren: Brad Allard, Carrie (Blake) Kleppe, Ryan (Kari) Greenlee, Evan (Tara) Prast, Stacia (Jared) Grant, Megan Gist, Jordan Rodgers, Matt (Laura) Rodgers and Kyle Rodgers. 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild and a host of other family members and friends.
Donnie (DR) Rodgers, aka Mr. Knoxville, will be missed.
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