Former WRAL contributor, N&O columnist Dennis Rogers dies at 77

A long-time North Carolina journalist died Saturday – after devoting more than his fair share of years to telling the stories of North Carolina.

Dennis Rogers, 77, was known as a writer and columnist for the News & Observer for over 30 years – but he also did video commentary for WRAL-TV.

For decades Rogers wrote a column that was described as "often praised or criticized." When he wrote his final column in 2007, he said people were calling it "the end of an era at the News & Observer."

Rogers laughingly said, "I kind of feel like that guy in Monty Python and the Holy Grail: 'I'm not dead yet!'"

Raised in Wilson, North Carolina, he had a passion for highlighting small town Eastern Carolina stories and military stories.

His father was a WWII veteran, and Rogers served in the Army himself.

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"I wish I could say, 'Okay, I'm done now. I've done my 35 years.' But I can't go quite yet. It's a personal debt of honor," he said.

When he was done, he said, he could finally go ride his motorcycle along the NC beaches and finally relax.

According to the N&O, arrangements will be handled by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Garner.