Justin N. Rogers

Justin Nathaniel Rogers, son of Philip and Nicole (Lange) Rogers, was born on February 27, 2007 in Springfield, Missouri and passed away on April 14, 2007 in the St. John’s Regional Health Center in Springfield, Missouri. Although he was with us a few short weeks, Justin’s life touched many hearts in a very special way.
Having been born fifteen weeks early, and weighing only one pound and nine ounces, Justin’s life was a battle from the start. Even though he was perfectly formed, perfectly created, and perfectly ours, and his organs had developed, yet they were not prepared for the outside world.
The NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) was Justin’s home for the duration of his brief life. His bed was a “bubble” controlling light, sound, temperature, and humidity. Loving hands cared for him day and night, while the best doctors we could ask for watched our baby’s progress closely. Three and one half weeks of encouraging progress ended abruptly with him having major surgery to remove his colon. Three weeks of agonizing ups and downs followed his surgery, with kidney failure an immediate concern. The unanimous opinion was clear; Justin was a fighter. We witnessed miracle after miracle as did hundreds who were watching.
The last few days of Justin’s life seemed very dark for all of us. Our hearts were breaking as his tiny body continued to swell and we faced our last few days with him. Yet the Lord never once left us without a loving and encouraging friend to comfort and pray with us. Our nurses who were so touched by our little Justin would come to check on him even on their days off. We were reminded daily of the countless prayers being offered for our son.
Justin was strong until the end, and passed away quietly. In his life he endured more physical hurt than most of us will ever know, but in death he has begun a new life of unimaginable joy. We mourn our loss, but rejoice that our Justin will never lose a loved one. Rather, our deaths will seem to him as new lives begun, as we pray you too will know.
Justin is survived by his parents: Philip and Nicole Rogers of Mtn. Grove; his paternal grandparents: Jim and Della Rogers of Mtn. Grove; his maternal grandparents: Richard and Lauren Lange of Vanzant, Missouri; paternal great-grandfather: Buno Friesen of the State of Washington; maternal great-grandmother: Joanne Wood of Baltimore, Maryland; his loving and caring nurses; doctors; and other relatives and friends.
“Suffer the little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of God.” Mark 14:10
Graveside services for Justin Rogers were held Wednesday, April 18, 2007 in the Hillcrest Cemetery with Pastor Buzz Brown officiating. Burial was in the Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove, Missouri.