MILTON - James A. "Big Al" Rogers, 58, of Schnure Road, formerly of New Columbia, went to be with his heavenly Father on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013, at his home. Earlier in his life, he had lived in Shelbyville, Ill. He was born Jan. 1, 1955, in Cumberland, Md., a son of the late Clyde F. and Betty (Enders) Rogers. He was married to the former Deborah Hessel until her death in 1994. On Feb. 14, 1995, he married the former Tina E. Dieffenbach, and they celebrated 18 years of marriage. Al attended Altoona High School and received his GED in 1976 in Shelbyville, Ill. He worked several jobs while living in Illinois including for the Shelby County sheriff's office/police department from July 1975 to December 1983 when he came back to Pennsylvania. He was employed by the Union County Board of Assistance from June 1984 to February 1985 when he became a "911" dispatcher. In May 1994, he became deputy director of emergency services for Union County. He also had briefly worked for the Pennsylvania State Police and Bucknell Univeristy security during the 1990s. He was an emergency medical technician and volunteered with the White Deer Township Fire Company, where he had served as ambulance captain for several years and received the EMT of the Year award. Al attended Watsontown Alliance Church. He was an avid pool player, having shot pool for the 40 et 8 and Northumberland Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 44, and he enjoyed playing "Texas Hold-Em" poker. He liked cooking on the grill for his family and cherished times spent with his wife and children. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son and daughter, Brody J. Rogers and Caitlyn E. Rogers, both at home; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Gary and Mary Rogers, of Shelbyville, Ill., and Clyde Franklin Rogers; four sisters and one brother-in-law, Brenda Vadasz, of Lewisburg, Sandy and Keith Woodard, of New Columbia, Kathleen Marks and Sharon Rogers; several nieces and nephews, including special nieces and nephew, Melissa Jennings and Chris Wilcox, of Shelbyville, Ill., and Andy Vadasz, of Lewisburg; and his favorite companion, his doodle-boxer, Toby. Friends are invited to call from 10 to noon Saturday in Watsontown Alliance Church, 1165 Eighth Street Drive, Watsontown, followed by the funeral at noon with the Rev. Donald Jones officiating. The family suggests contributions in his memory be made to Kingdom Kidz Inc., 801 Shakespeare Ave., Milton, PA 17847, or Watsontown Alliance Church, P.O. Box 453, Watsontown, PA 17777. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brooks Funeral Home, 124 Main St., Watsontown. Visit www.brooksfuneralhome.com.