Louis 'Lou' Leon Rogers, 71

“Our world bade a sad farewell to the finest musician any of us has ever had the great fortune to enjoy. Lou was an entertainer for the ages.”

 He passed away at his home Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, at the age of 71. 

Louis “Lou” Leon Rogers was born in Kalispell on May 21, 1942, to Louis Russell and Iva (Mikesell) Rogers.

The Rogers family split up in 1956, and the three kids were left with their mother in Kalispell. Money was short in those days, and the two boys soon discovered they could make a buck or two playing a couple of beat-up old guitars around town. It wasn’t long until they were in demand all over the Flathead Valley.

They formed a band that was known simply as The Rogers Brothers. Lou was only 14, and Bud was 13 at the time, so their mother would have to accompany them to the bars and nightspots so they could demonstrate their magic.

Lou had a natural gift as a musician. He could play any instrument with strings. His two favorites were the lead guitar and the pedal steel guitar.  But he could play the fiddle, bass guitar, banjo and the mandolin with the best of them.

Lou and Bud together were professional musicians, and they performed all over western Montana. In 1963, Babe and the two boys decided to pay a visit to their long-departed dad in California. The Rogers Brothers got a job playing at the Corral Club in Seaside, where they were the featured band for three years. While there they played backup to visiting musicians, including George Jones, Merle Haggard and Freddie Hart, just to name a few. The boys were damn good! They also had a weekly radio show over KRSA in Salinas, Calif.

Lou played in many states for many years but always ended up back in Montana. Lou had many, many friends scattered across the country, and he always had a kind word for all. He always saw the good in everybody.

Lou is survived by his sister, Iva “Babe” Mather, and by his favorite nephew, Tony Mather, in Lakeside.

“Rest in peace, dear Lou. They are dancing in heaven tonight!”

There will be a visitation for Lou from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. There will also be a reception following the services at the Moose Lodge in Evergreen.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Lou’s family. You are invited to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Lou’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.