Know Your Neighbor: Scott Rogers of Highland
After having been born and raised in Mt. Vernon virtually his entire life, Scott Rogers and his wife, Jennifer, seem to be enchanted with the friendly, hometown atmosphere afforded by living in Highland.
Scott was the eldest of three sons born in Mt. Vernon to Dan and Joyce Rogers on Nov. 26, 1964 — Thanksgiving Day in fact. Their family was close knit and spent a great deal of time hunting, fishing and visiting relatives.
“I couldn’t have had better parents,” exclaimed Scott. “My dad emphasized to us boys a strong work ethic and your word was your bond. My mother didn’t work and stayed home to care for our family. She makes the best mashed potatoes and beef with noodles.”
This fine cuisine may have contributed to the fact Scott was considered a husky boy.
He graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1982 and immediately began working with his father at New Era Tire as a tire shop technician. In 1989, Scott and his dad partnered with a group from Indiana and founded Southern Illinois Tire.
He and Emily married and had one daughter, Katie. With the passage of time, the couple grew apart and the marriage was dissolved in 2013. Before the divorce, Scott weathered some serious health concerns. One being a recurring pain in his left foot.
Scott diagnosed with cancer
He sought professional help in 1992, but the physician did not believe his condition was anything serious warranting any tests or procedures. The discomfort continued and intensified during the next six years. Eventually, Scott said he felt he must seek a second opinion.
Scott was diagnosed with synovial cell sarcoma at Mayo Clinic in 1998. By then, it had progressed to the point where the only option left was amputation below the knee. SS is a rare type of cancer. It affects soft tissues, which connect, support and surround bones and organs of the body. These may include muscle, fat, blood or lymph vessels, nerves, tendons and the lining of the joints.
SS is made up of cells with genes that have errors and mutations in them. These gene glitches do not get passed down through families. Instead, they form over time for unknown reasons. The gene errors for synovial sarcomas often happen when certain chromosomes break and the pieces latch onto other chromosomes. Whatever the cause, the delayed diagnosis cost Scott a large portion of his left leg.
Additionally, Scott continued to put on extra pounds and at one point, 405 pounds were on his 6-foot frame. By 2013, Scott decided he wanted to get healthy, be there for his daughter and to be able to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day.
He began walking and cutting down on portions and lost 100 pounds in about seven months on his own. But then he reached a plateau and was unable to lose any more weight. He finally consulted a surgeon who specialized in gastric bypass and in March 2015, he underwent sleeve surgery.
After his father retired in 2005, their tire partner wanted to part ways and Scott took a position with Statewide Tires in St. Louis for approximately one year. In 2006, Scott founded Rogers Family Tire in Mt. Vernon until 2013, and then his brother, Wes, took over in 2014. Scott retired to Statewide for a short period of time.
From best friends to husband and wife; cancer free 20 years
After his divorce, Scott purchased a home in Highland and spent as much time as possible with his family and close friends. This included a childhood friend, Jennifer, whose daughter Haydan was best friends with Scott’s daughter, Katie. The families got together frequently to hang out and visit. Scott and Jennifer became best friends.
Scott began to realize Jennifer had a “terrific smile, cared about everyone’s feelings, was a great listener and was a person who was always there for others in spite of her own struggles,” said Scott. Soon, their friendship blossomed into a romance. They made it permanent June 12, 2015.
As for his cancer diagnosis, Scott has now been cancer free for 20 years. Even though doctors had missed the cancer and Scott could harbor some animosity, he said he is simply thankful there was still an option left. Additionally, her has kept off the extra pounds and is now healthy.
He and Jennifer believe each of them is married to their best friend. They enjoy traveling, visiting with friends and family around a fire and watching television together. They are especially thankful they chose Highland for their home. Scott is a sales representative for Springfield Electric Supply in Edwardsville.
Their blended family includes, daughters Haydan and Katie, and one son, Reid.