Richard Rogers, who lived and was educated in North Texas, helped create Mary Kay Cosmetics with his mother, Mary Kay Ash, in 1963, has died at 82.
DALLAS — Richard Raymond Rogers, a Texas native who helped launch and grow one of the world’s best-known beauty brands, died Tuesday. He was 82.
Rogers was born April 15, 1943, in Bryan to Mary Kathlyn Wagner Rogers — later known as Mary Kay Ash — and Julius Ben Rogers. He spent his early years in Bryan before his family relocated to Dallas, where he attended Hillcrest High School, according to his obituary. He went on to study at North Texas State University and served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
In 1963, Rogers joined his mother and siblings in launching Mary Kay Cosmetics in Dallas — the city that remains the company’s global headquarters. Together, they grew the family business into a global cosmetics company with millions of independent contractors.
Rogers became one of his mother’s closest business partners, serving in multiple leadership roles including president, CEO, chairman of the board and executive chairman, the obituary says. While Mary Kay Ash was widely known as the visionary behind the company, Rogers played a key role in building and expanding the business into a multibillion-dollar enterprise operating in countries around the world.
Beyond Mary Kay, Rogers pursued other ventures, including founding aviation services company, Million Air in Addison in the 1980s.
Rogers is survived by his wife, Nancy C. Rogers, his children, grandchildren and extended family.
The obituary didn’t mention any cause of death.
Services will be held at Highland Park United Methodist Church, with details to be announced.
