Coye O. Rogers, 79

He was born in the Fruitland community of Hendersonville on Jan. 19, 1929, to Selman J. and Alta McKillop Rogers.

He received a bachelor’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1949 and joined the Army during the Korean Conflict, working in medical research with a focus on malaria first at the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta, Ga., and then at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. In 1959, he returned to Chapel Hill to do research on tuberculosis at UNC’s Gravely Sanatorium. After receiving a master’s degree in public health in 1963 from UNC, he was employed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina until his retirement in 1994.

An active member of Binkley Baptist Church since 1959, he served most notably as financial secretary for more than 30 years. He was also treasurer for American Legion Post 6 for several years and held local and district offices in Civitan. He was a supporter of music and the arts in the Chapel Hill area and a loyal Tar Heel fan.

Survivors are his long time partner, Nancy Joyner; sister, Clara Edith Clark and her husband, Carroll; sister, Sharon Stepp; brother, J.B. Rogers and his wife, June; and numerous nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by brothers Bly, Suel and Loren Rogers and his sister, Lura Rogers.

A memorial service will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Binkley Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, with a graveside service at a later date in Fruitland. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Binkley Baptist Church, 1712 Willow Drive, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514 or another charity of your choice. Online condolences can be made at www.cremnc.com.

The arrangements are by the Cremation Society of the Carolinas.