By DEBRA DUNLAP
bnews@sbcglobal.net
Former Nocona educator Jim Rogers is a busy man. The tall, distinguished “retiree” is currently owner of a publishing company, author, partner in an art gallery and an artist; not to mention a devoted husband, father and doting grandfather.
A 1963 graduate of Austin College, Rogers had briefly considered majoring in art.
“I decided I didn’t want to starve to death. I wasn’t that good anyway”, he quipped. The basketball player’s next choice was to become a coach.
His move to Nocona in 1965 to become the high school basketball coach was the beginning of a successful life for him and his family in Montague County. After coaching for four years, Rogers became a principal in the Nocona school system.
Four years later, he found himself writing a grant for Montague County special education co-op. While special education director, Rogers worked to receive his doctorate from University of North Texas.
He subsequently was promoted to Nocona’s superintendent of schools, and after a few years became executive director of Region 9 Education Service Center in Wichita Falls. Eventually, Rogers retired from education and opened his own publishing company, primarily producing educational materials.
With his flair for things artistic, he expanded publishing to include other genres. He has published novels by several authors, including Rogers himself. He also edited and published an autobiography for Drew Pearson, former Dallas Cowboy, entitled “Hail Mary – The Drew Pearson Story.”
“I published a novel several years ago that did pretty good. It is titled “Washed in the Blood,” by author Shelton Williams. It is in the process of being made into a television movie,” added Rogers.

Read the full story in the Sept. 29 edition of the Bowie News.