Traverse City - Jay B. Rogers, 77, of Traverse City passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 5, 2013 at Munson Medical Center.

Jay was born on January 21, 1936 in Traverse City to the late Lewis and Edna (Zuhl) Rogers.

On July 28, 1956 Jay married Alice B. Pederson in Kewadin, MI. Together they built a thriving contracting business, Jay Rogers Builders.

Jay enjoyed every aspect of his business. The business started with remodeling and grew into construction of numerous beautiful homes and many area industrial buildings. Over the years Jay won numerous awards of excellence for his work. His enthusiasm and love of building continued into retirement when he made several pieces of heirloom furniture for his family. He was generous with his talents, sharing with family and friends.

Jay was a member of the Traverse City Elks Club, the Model T Club, and the Builders Association.

He enjoyed hunting (both locally and internationally) fishing, morel mushroom hunting, and woodworking. Most importantly, Jay enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He will be deeply miss by all who knew him.

Jay is survived by his wife Alice of 57 years, his children Wendy (William Behnke) Rogers, Anne (Douglas) Czarnecki, Nancy (George) Powell, and Lee Rogers, grandchildren Nick Messing, Emily (Jay) Ball, Heather (Scott) Brinks, Jill, Steven and Michelle Czarnecki, Johnathon Tremain, Spencer Powell, and Allison Powell, great grandchildren, Thomas and Lucas Brinks, Norah DeKlein, Carter Ball, a brother Donald (Kathy) Rogers and many other loving family members and friends.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Ruth Hathaway, and his brother, Sonny Rogers.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2013 from 6-8pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11am on Friday, August 9, also at the funeral home with a visitation held one hour prior to the funeral. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan, 2279 S. Airport Rd W., Traverse City, MI 49684 or to the Salvation Army.

Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family. The family is being served by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.