Craig Rogers

Craig Rogers

                Gas pipeline safety engineer Craig Rogers, 50, who grew up in Choteau, died in his sleep from a blood clot/cardiac arrest on Nov. 11, 2023, at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada.

                Craig was born in Red Lodge on June 14, 1973, to Tom and Connie Rogers and moved with his family to Choteau when he was in first grade. As a youngster, he played sports in school and baseball during the summers, enjoyed camping with his family and friends and was in Cub and Boy Scouts.

                He attended Choteau High School where he played football and basketball all four years, lettering in both sports, and graduated with the class of 1992. Following high school graduation, he attended Montana State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business.

                Craig married his high school sweetheart, Lori Conatser (the girl who lived across the street), on July 25, 1998, in Choteau. Soon after their marriage, the young couple moved to Billings, where Craig was employed by ELM, an underground locating company, and Lori worked as a nurse.

                Two years later, they moved to the Salt Lake City, Utah, area where Craig continued working with ELM. In 2002, their first son Kayden was born.

                Craig was then transferred to Las Vegas, where their son Carson was born in 2005. Later, Craig began working for the Nevada Public Utilities Commission as a gas pipeline safety engineer, having completed an engineering degree as a requirement for this position.

                In this industry, Craig was recognized and respected for his passion for safety. The National Utility Contractors Association described him as a trailblazer in the realm of damage prevention and said his impact resonated far beyond the state. He was known for his open-mindedness and thoughtful approach and had the ability to withhold judgment before he gained a full understanding of any issue.

                Craig coached Little League baseball and lacrosse for all the many years his sons were involved in the programs. The boys, as children and as the young men they have become, were always the focus of Craig’s life.

                Last September, Craig was invited to throw the first pitch before the Las Vegas Aviators game versus the Reno Aces. A right hander, Craig delivered a perfect strike, to no one’s surprise.

                Craig enjoyed gopher hunting and target shooting and loved to golf. He celebrated his 50th birthday with his wife and sons at several golf courses in Mesquite, Nevada.

                Beyond his professional accomplishments, he was a devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend, and his presence will be sorely missed. His incredible smile and great sense of humor will also be missed by all who knew him.

                Craig is survived by his wife, Lori, and his sons, Kayden and Carson, all of Las Vegas; his parents, Tom and Connie Rogers of Choteau; his younger brother, Curtis (Michelle) Rogers and their children, Cole, Kennedy, Camden and Kassedy, all of Three Forks; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He also leaves behind his brother- and sister-in-law, Tim and Carly Conatser and their daughters, Chloe and Cammi, all of Belgrade; and his mother-in-law Jonnie Conatser of Choteau.

                He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Jack Conatser of Choteau.

                His funeral was Nov. 20 at the Choteau United Methodist Church with burial in the Choteau Cemetery. Frontier Funeral Home of Choteau handled arrangements.

                Memorials are suggested to the Choteau Lions Club, P.O. Box 617, Choteau, MT 59422.