Michael Lesley Rodgers, age 75, of Brownwood, passed away surrounded by his family on February 18, 2025. The family will receive friends for visitation from 5 – 7 PM on Friday, February 28, at Heartland Funeral Home in Early. Funeral services for Michael will be held at 10:00 AM on March 1, in the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel.

Michael was born December 12, 1949 in Lubbock, Texas to Marvin Lesley and Melba Vaughn Rodgers. With great effort, Michael overcame the debilitating and long-term effects of childhood polio.

The most favorite time of Michael’s life was during the nine years he worked in the Sporting Goods Department at Furr’s Family Center in Lubbock because he could pursue his love of nature, fishing, guns, reloading ammo and all types of kids’ sports.

His love of the outdoors started at an early age and was encouraged by the Boy Scouts of America, where he rose to the highest rank of Eagle Scout. As a Scout, he also was inducted as a member of their honor society, Order of the Arrow, out of Post, Texas.

Michael further extended his interest in the outdoors by graduating from Texas Tech University with a degree in Range and Wildlife management in May 1976. He was employed as a Range Conservationist with the USDA Soil Conservation Service for 19 years where he worked with the CRP program.

Michael finished his work career with Securis Technologies, where he installed and maintained inmate telephones for 15 years. While living in Jacksboro, Michael attended the Disciples of Christ Church where he served as a Deacon. Michael married the love of his life, Sherry Ellis, in Austin on March 30, 1970 and they were blessed with two children. They moved throughout Texas so many times that they lost count.

Regardless of where he was, his foremost focus was always the well-being and happiness of his family.

Michael is survived by his wife, Sherry Rodgers; his daughter, Tiffany Kidd and her husband James; his son, James Rodgers and his wife Maggie; grandchildren, Cade Patteson, Ashlynn Anderson, Evie Feltgen and Ridge Feltgen, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

Michael was preceded in death by both of his parents and his two siblings, Curtis Vaughn and Beverly Schafer.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Interim Hospice and Hill Country Home Care for their excellent care.