David Rodgers

David Allen Rodgers, age 71, of Byron Center, walked through the gates of heaven on December 9, 2021. David was born in Muskegon, Michigan to Charles and Marva Rodgers. He was a retired educator, teaching art for 34 years in the Northview and Wyoming school systems. David was a fun and caring teacher. He loved teaching, and he loved his students. He was a mentor and good friend to so many of his students, still connecting with them after his retirement through Facebook. If you were in his Art class, then you would know about the special holiday he invented for his Art students called “Slug Day.” It was celebrated every year and a special t-shirt was designed and made for the event. David loved the Michigan Wolverines, and he always displayed the Wolverine flag on game day. He was also a doomed Lions fan. David was a talented artist and had three one man shows during his lifetime. He worked with mixed media, painting, sculpting, stained glass, leather tooling, jewelry, pottery, and photography. He was a jack of all trades and could fix anything or show you how to fix something he wasn't physically able to do himself. He really enjoyed cars and there was a time he could tell anyone the make, model, and year of every car he would pass on the road. Dave and his dad rebuilt the engine on his 66 Ford Fairlane. He loved his children and grandchildren and was so proud of all their accomplishments. He cherished his time with them. He loved dogs and had a total of nine dogs during his married life. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 50 years, Rhonda Rodgers (Jackson); his children Courtney (Jason) Engstrom, Joslyn (Charlie) O'Dell; his grandchildren; Lillian, Charlie, Chaz and Drake, his brother Chris (Donna) Rodgers, his sister Lynn (Rodgers) Schaner, his favorite brother-in-law Taylor (Pat) Jackson, sister-in-law Landa (Jackson) Price, and many other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Rodgers, and his mother Marva (Long) Rodgers. Per David's request, there will be no funeral service. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Humane Society of West Michigan, The American Cancer Society, or to a charity of your choice.