August 14, 2025 submitted by Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association
Our deepest condolences to the Rodgers family. Our fishing community lost a good man, and he will be deeply missed. Rest easy, Puggy.
Raymond Roman Rodgers Jr., lovingly known as “Puggy,” passed away peacefully of lung cancer on August 5, 2025, at the age of 85. He was surrounded by family and friends leading up to his passing. Born December 12, 1939, in Seward, Alaska, and raised on Unga Island, Puggy lived a life as big and enduring as the tides that shaped him.
Raymond Roman Rodgers Jr., “Puggy”
A proud IBEW 1547 Retired Wireman Electrician and lifelong commercial fisherman, Puggy owned and operated the family’s setnet site along the shores of Cook Inlet.
A man of deep loyalty and honor, Puggy served in the National Guard and continued his dedication aboard the USS Roosevelt aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy.
His life was defined by hard work and generosity. Known for his readiness to help anyone in need, Puggy was a man who would give the shirt off his back without hesitation.
Above all, Puggy was devoted to his wife, Ann, his “queen” for 59 years, and his greatest joy in life was loving and caring for her and his children. He was a father not only to his children but also to many who needed guidance, a steady hand. His legacy lives on in the family he raised, the friends he helped, the waters he fished and the land he hunted.
Puggy is survived by his wife, Ann Wemark Rodgers; his children Kenny Rodgers (Jodi), Shelly Rustman (Mel), and Lisa Rodgers (Erik); grandchildren Megan Raitto (Gard) 5 great-grandchildren, Calvin Rodgers, Thomas Peters, Dustin Rustman 2 great-grandsons, Makayla Confer, Bristol Confer, and Kasiana Anderson. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother and father, Esther and Raymond Rodgers Sr., his siblings and his granddaughter Stephanie Zentmire.
Those who knew Puggy will remember his steadfast loyalty, his love for the sea, his deep commitment to family, and the way he lived life fully, on his own terms. He leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity, and tradition that will continue to ripple through generations.
He has set his nets in calmer waters now, leaving behind a catch of memories that will feed our hearts for a lifetime.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, 8/23/25, at 3 p.m. at St. John United Methodist Church, 1801 O’Malley Road, Anch, AK.
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