Clayton Rogers

It is with great sadness that we report Clayton A. "Moxie" Rogers, 95, passed away on December 3, 2022, at a Bangor hospital. Clayton was born December 2, 1927, to Elmer M. and Pearl H. (Jenkins) Rogers. He graduated from Brewer High School, class of 1946 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1948. He attended the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, then went on to graduate from Husson College and the University of Maine, earning a BA in Education.

Clayton taught at Pemetic High School, Southwest Harbor, Maine, and left to work at N.H. Bragg and Sons for over 8 years. After that he returned to teaching, at Bangor Adult Evening School for nine years and for 25 years at Brewer High School.

In 1948 he joined Columbia Street Baptist Church, where he met and fell in love with Ruth Esther Burton, his future wife of 62 years. He worked as an Organist and Choir Director for one year at Calvary Baptist Church in Brewer; for two years as an Organist at the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Tremont, ME; and one year as Organist and Choir Director at the First Congregational Church in Brewer.

Clayton became the Organist for Columbia Street Baptist Church in 1955 and continued as organist there until 2022; for six and a half years he was also the Choir Director. He was a member of the Danforth Men's Class at the church for many years.

Clayton worked several summers at Camp Kennebec Junior in North Belgrade, ME. Known there as Uncle Moxie, he was the Director of Evening Assembly Activities and a mentor to many young men. Those summers were a great source of enjoyment for him and his family, where they rented a rustic cabin at Pine Beach on Great Pond in North Belgrade. They were wonderful years spent with summer friends and provided Clayton with cherished memories.

Clayton was very active in the community. He was a member of the Bangor Chapter of the American Guild of Organists; the Eastern Maine Camera Club; the National and Maine Education Associations (Retired); the Brewer and Orrington Historical Societies; and the Retired Teachers Association of Penobscot County, ME. His spirit of volunteerism was apparent as he entertained so many people in various retirement homes throughout the area, playing piano or organ and singing songs that reconnected them with their youth.

He was predeceased by his wife Ruth Esther (Burton) Rogers, his twin brothers Seldon and Sumner, and sister Marguerite. He is survived by his three sons, Timothy A. Rogers and his wife Tracy, David B. Rogers and his wife Ada, Neal A. Rogers and his wife Eileen, and Seldon's wife Cleeesther. Also surviving are his grandchildren Aaron Rogers, Michael, Justin and Katrina Rogers, and Anthony and Zachary Rogers. He leaves 2 great granddaughters, Harley and Abigail, 1 great grandson, Eddy, 8 nieces, 2 nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Relatives and friends are welcome to call from 5-7 PM, Monday, December 12, 2022 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at the Columbia Street Baptist Church, 63 Columbia Street, Bangor. Following the service relatives and friends are invited to conversation and refreshments in the church vestry. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Orrington, following the reception. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember Clayton in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Columbia Street Baptist Church, 63 Columbia Street, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.