By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WARSAW, Ky. - Jeff Allan Rodgers, a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, died Wednesday in an automobile accident in Owen County, Ky. He was 43.

Authorities said Rodgers and his wife, Dianne, were driving to a funeral when a van crossed over the median of U.S. 127, striking Rodgers' vehicle. His wife is recovering from her injuries.

Mr. Rodgers graduated from Lloyd High School in Erlanger in 1978.

While in school, he signed up for the Marine Corps.

Six months after he began duty, he received a medical discharge after hurting his knee during training. After rehabilitation joined the Army in 1981.

Mr. Rodgers' last assignment was in Operation Desert Storm. As a staff sergeant over a group of Bradley Fighting Vehicles (BFV) in the mechanized infantry, he was a member of a scout section, sent in six months in advance.

In 1993, he was medically discharged after an accident in a BFV.

His father, John A. Rodgers of Florence, said one of his son's favorite songs was Lee Greenwood's "Proud to Be An American."

"That one just typifies him," Mr. Rodgers said. "He was very, very proud of his service to the Army and his country."

His son's memberships included American Legion Post No. 20 in Elsmere, Ky.

Most recently, he worked as a security guard for Hertz Rent A Car at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

The elder Rodgers said his son was proud of his daughters, Alisha Breiner of Crittenden, Ky., and Brittney Rodgers of Florence. While in high school, he ran cross-country and helped win two state championships.

His mother, JoAnn , died in 1993.

In addition to his wife, father and two daughters, survivors include a brother, John R. of Glencoe, Ky.; a sister, Stacey L. of Tampa, Fla.; stepmother Ann, and stepsisters Judy Rice of Newport, Jamie Lawson of Covington and Janet Bowling of Morningview, Ky.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday at the Linnemann Funeral Home, 30 Commonwealth Ave., Erlanger. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery, Fort Mitchell.

Memorials: American Heart Association, 2936 Vernon Place, Cincinnati 45219-2433, or the American Diabetes Association, 8899 Brookside Court, West Chester, OH 45069-7112.

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E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com