DALLAS, April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The family of Richard Rogers announces the passing of Richard Rogers. Richard Raymond Rogers departed peacefully on March 31, 2026, leaving behind a legacy defined by vision, resilience, and deep devotion to those he loved. He was 82 years of age. Richard was born on April 15, 1943, in Bryan, Texas, to Julius Ben Rogers, a musician, and Mary Kathlyn Wagner Rogers, who would later become known to the world as Mary Kay Ash.
Richard spent much of his early childhood and formative years in Bryan, with his maternal grandmother Lula Vember Wagner, whose strength and work ethic influenced him deeply. As a young man, he attended Allen Military Academy in Bryan, Texas, where he developed discipline, leadership, and a strong sense of responsibility.
After the family relocated to Dallas, Richard attended Hillcrest High School. He continued his education at North Texas State University and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, embodying the discipline, honor, and deep sense of duty that guided him throughout his life.
In 1963, Richard, together with his siblings Ben and Marylyn, joined his mother in launching Mary Kay Cosmetics, which grew to be a global leader in the beauty industry. Richard quickly emerged as Mary Kay Ash’s closest business partner. What began as a small family enterprise in Dallas was built on Mary Kay’s belief that women should have the opportunity to succeed in business and be recognized for their achievements. Richard, together with his mother and siblings, left a lasting and enduring mark on the lives of millions of women around the world. For many who joined Mary Kay, the company offered more than a livelihood; it offered confidence, community, financial independence, and the belief that opportunity should be available to anyone willing to work for it.
A self-made man, Richard served in numerous leadership roles, including President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and Executive Chairman. Through these roles, he helped guide the company through decades of growth and expansion, making Mary Kay into a global cosmetics company operating across numerous countries and supported by millions of independent beauty consultants.
While his mother was widely known for her inspiration and vision, Richard methodically and thoughtfully built the business from a startup to a multibillion-dollar operation. Those who worked closely with Richard often spoke of his quiet strength, steadiness, and unwavering integrity. Through determination, sharp instinct, and resolute work ethic, he transformed his mother’s idea into a lasting enterprise, earning the respect of colleagues, partners, and competitors alike. He took great pride in his company’s success and the legacy it created.
Beyond Mary Kay, Richard pursued additional entrepreneurial ventures throughout his career. In the 1980s, he founded Million Air in Addison, Texas, an aviation services company that later became a recognized name in private aviation. At various times, he was also involved in the energy business, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit that characterized much of Texas business during that era.
Richard shared a profound and wonderful partnership with his wife, Nancy C. Rogers, who brought joy, stability, and companionship to his life. Together, they built a life defined by great love, laughter, and mutual respect. Their bond was a testament to love found later in life and to the fullness it can bring. They enjoyed a life of travel, spending time together in their homes in Aspen and Cabo and exploring other destinations with family and friends.
Richard had a deep appreciation for life’s experiences and the joy of shared pursuits. In his earlier years, he loved playing golf, racing both speedboats and cars, and even playing the accordion. He later found great enjoyment on the water, particularly yachting, and remained an avid skier. He and Nancy also shared a passion for art and collecting, taking great pleasure in curating pieces that reflected their lives and travels. He shared these passions with his wife, as well as with family and friends, creating lasting memories through the activities he loved most. He deeply valued his close friendships and took great joy in the time he shared with them, whether through laughter, meaningful conversation, or simply being in one another’s company. Though a man of measured words, he had a quick sense of humor and a gift for memorable sayings that those around him fondly recall and continue to share. A devoted animal lover, he adored the rescue cats he shared with Nancy and his daughter, Olivia.
Richard was a man of complexity and heart. He faced life’s challenges, both his own and those within his family, with a quiet strength and understanding. He believed in second chances and supported those he loved through difficult times, always holding onto hope and the possibility of growth and redemption.
Throughout his life, Richard believed that success carried with it a responsibility to give back. Together with his wife, Nancy, he supported a variety of charitable and cultural causes, reflecting their shared commitment to philanthropy and community.
He will be remembered as a man who lived fully, gave generously, and remained steadfast in his integrity. His legacy lives on not only in the business he created, but in the lives he touched, the family and friends he cared for, and the values he exemplified.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Mary Kathlyn Wagner Rogers and Julius Ben Rogers; his brother, Julius Ben Rogers, Jr.; his sister, Marylyn Yvonne Reed; and his brother-in-law, Gerry Sam. He is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy C. Rogers; his four children, Terri Ivie (David), Richard Rogers II (Melody), Ryan Rogers (Maleiah), and Olivia Abbott; his grandchildren, Aaron Ivie (Lyndsie), Geoffrey Michael Ivie (Kathryn), Brendan Ivie (Ashley), Natalie Ivie, Richard Rogers III, Mariah Rogers (Grayson), Renee Rogers, Marissa Rogers, and Everlee Ash Rogers; and his great-granddaughter, Emilia Ivie. He is also survived by his goddaughters, Krisinda Schafer (Jeff), Kristin Urrutia (Diego), Lindsey Pisarcik, Kennedy Carroll (Andrew), Madison Isner (John), Wylie Abbott, Halston Abbott, Holly Harris (Wyatt), Rachel Stocker (Ben), Tess Merriman (Edward), Lilly Smalls, Kaiden Snell; his godsons, Corey Gamble (Kris), Stefan Lichtenstein, Dylan Spalding, and Logan Snell; and a large extended family through his siblings. He is also survived by one nephew and three nieces through Nancy’s family: Broderick Sam (Sarah), McKinsey Warman (James), Sydney Sam, and Madalynn Meeker.
The family is profoundly grateful to Dr. Loc Trieu, Dr. Todd Albert, and Dr. Jeffrey Kopita, as well as his remarkable team of caregivers, for their exceptional medical care and the compassion, attentiveness, and dignity they brought to Richard each day.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Richard’s memory may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (www.nmcrs.org).
Services will be held at Highland Park United Methodist Church, with details to follow.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/richard-rogers-texas-business-pioneer-who-helped-build-dallas-based-mary-kay-cosmetics-with-his-mother-dies-at-82-302731700.html
SOURCE Family of Richard Rogers
