William Gordon “Buddy” Rodgers Jr., 80, of Gloucester, passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2023. He was born in Canton, North Carolina. He played the trombone in the marching and concert bands. He was a member of the chess and Latin clubs and he liked to bike ride, camp and swim.

He received his B.S. in mathematics with a minor in electrical engineering from N.C. State University. In 1964, he was employed by Newport News Shipyard in the research department. He met his wife Lana through a coworker while there. From 1975 until his retirement in 2012, he worked for several contractors at NASA Langley Research Center.

He worked on many projects to make flying safer, including air traffic control in a terminal area, better weather displays for pilots, and aircraft behavior in varying weather conditions.

After he and Lana built their home in Gloucester, Buddy served three years on the Gloucester Clean Community Committee, serving on one redistricting committee, was an alternate on a committee to revise the comprehensive plan, served 13 years on the Planning Commission and was chairman for three years.

For many years, he helped Lana work to rescue and find homes for hundreds of horses, dogs, and cats.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lana, and is survived by his sons, Gregory Scott and Paul Clifton Rodgers; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Deroche and Penny Cheek; and brothers-in-law, Jerry Deroche and Mark Cheek.

Memorial services will be private. Contributions may be made to the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, P.O. Box 385, Gloucester, Va. 23061 or to Indian Rivers Humane Society, P.O. Box 264, Aylett, Va. 23009.

Faulkner Funeral Homes, Bristow-Faulkner Chapel, Saluda, is assisting the family.