The Junior Auxiliary of Corinth awarded the honor of 2010 Outstanding Citizen to Tom Rogers at the organization’s annual Charity Ball Saturday evening.

The announcement Saturday evening reportedly took Tom Rogers by surprise. He has been described as humble, quiet, respectful, having great integrity and the kind of man who goes about his work quietly — not asking for praise.

A Corinth native, Tom L. Rogers is married to Marianne Ramer Rogers and the couple has two children, Courtney Rogers Dean (Jason), and John Rogers (Fleming); and three grandchildren, Mary Bogan, Chad Wadsworth and John Weston Jr.

The honoree is a 1968 graduate of Corinth High School; graduated Northeast Mississippi Community College in 1970; and Delta State University in 1972. He did his post graduate work at the University of Mississippi.

Rogers is a State Farm Agent — National Convention Qualifier; Auto and Home merit agent and Legion of Honor Agent (profit).

JA officials said Rogers is known for having a passion for helping fill the needs of people in the community that have physical, mental or financial needs. He can be found taking someone a warm meal, cutting up a tree, visiting someone who is sick or taking them to the doctor’s office.

His daughter, Courtney Rogers Dean said, “My father has always practiced what he preached and always showed my brother and me that service to others is an important part of our life. His love and gentle support throughout my life has always been a personal inspiration.”

Rogers has been active in his community, serving on many different boards and currently serves as a trustee on the Corinth School Board. Upon returning to Corinth soon after college he began teaching and coaching in the Corinth School system. It was said he was a positive influence on many young people by teaching them life skills that have carried over into their adult lives. Rogers founded the first chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at CHS. He was instrumental in building a locker room for the CHS baseball team at the city park.

“Tom wants to make sure that our programs are inclusive — to include every child — so that they have an opportunity to participate in any of our programs,” said Lee Childress, Corinth School District superintendent.

The 2010 Outstanding Citizen honoree is also active in the Corinth Alumni Association, where he currently serves as the Distinguished Alumni Chairman. Currently, he is actively searching for a location that the association can utilize to hold class reunions.

“Tom has been a cheerleader for our organization since its inception, he has been a great leader, advisor and friend,” said Corinth Alumni Association President, Callie Emmons.

Rogers became the director of the YMCA, where is said that he helped get the organization out of debt. He coached an underprivileged baseball team and started several sports activities for the mentally challenged. He gave jobs to two special needs young men, spending time with them and taking them to ballgames and community events.

As a director and coach at the “Y,” Rogers influenced the lives of many young men who played sports under his direction. Butch Ayers said he remembers working as a high school student at the “Y” and going to West Corinth School to a special needs class.

“Tom required us to go weekly to West Corinth School to spend time and play games with a group of special needs children. This ended up being the highlight of our week and we were always wanting to know when we would return,” Ayers recalled.

In the community, Rogers is also a deacon at First Baptist Church and a Sunday School teacher for 21 years. Other ways he has served the community include: The American Cancer Society Board and chairman of the Great American Smokeout for five years; Candy Classic Board; Chairman Easter Seals Society; United Way Chairman; United Way Board of Directors; United Way President; Boy Scout Drive Chairman sustaining membership; Alliance Board of Directors; Alliance member for 27 years; Dale Carnegie graduate and graduate assistant; Boys and Girls Club Board; charter member of Adult FCA; charter member of Corinth Loyalty Foundation; Chairman of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program; American Legion Baseball Coach; City of Corinth Traffic Committee; established Sunday School classes at Corinth Boys and Girls Club - five year teacher; Corinth Warrior Booster Club President; President of Corinth Touchdown Club; Chairman of Baseball, Building Committee and Baseball Diamond Club - built present clubhouse for Corinth Warrior Baseball team; coached baseball and soccer at Corinth City Park; coached baseball, football and basketball at YMCA for 10 years, tennis committee - Hillandale Country Club and past Rotary Club member.

A common thread that ties everything together is that if you ask anyone who knows Rogers, most would say they feel his greatest impact to the community is to the boys and girls of Alcorn County.

“He has been a role model for all children to follow as a teacher, coach, mentor, parent and friend,” said Kate Butler.