Rogers W. Cairns, 93, of Deltona, FL, passed away at his home on Saturday, October 10, 2026, surrounded by family. He was born on July 26, 1933, in Queens County, New York, NY, to the late Everett and Marguerite Minnie Stoddard Cairns.
Rogers was a senior aeronautical structural design engineer for Sikorsky Aviation Corporation in West Palm Beach, Florida. He also worked as a subcontractor in several U.S. states and Montreal, Canada. His designs included the Black Hawk helicopter and the parachute assembly utilized by NASA space shuttles during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
A graduate of Brooklyn (NY) Tech High School, Rogers earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree from NYU’s Guggenheim School of Engineering.
On February 9, 1985, Rogers wed Maudynea Blevins in Decatur, GA. The couple celebrated 41 years of marriage earlier this year.
Rogers lived with a Christ-like spirit and was known as a steadfast, trusted friend. A member of Trinity Assembly of God in Deltona, he consistently put others before himself. He enjoyed traveling, especially to historical sites and museums. An accomplished pianist and avid reader, he was knowledgeable on nearly every subject yet remained humble. One of his greatest joys was talking with his great-grandchildren on FaceTime.
A devoted husband, stepfather, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he is survived by his beloved wife, Maudynea, three stepchildren, Timothy Joe (Charla) Stepp of Wheelersburg, OH, Sherry Deanna Cairns Jordan of Vanceburg, KY, and Thomas |Edward (Ashley) Stepp of Canal Winchester, OH; four grandchildren, Christa Renee (Kyle) Jordan Call, Brianna Leigh Stepp-Adkins, Hunter T. Staggs, and Jonathan Thomas (Rachel) Stepp; and five great -grandchildren, Ava Grace Bolander, Kylie Renee Call, Alaina Faye Call, Seleah Kate Call, and Rogers’ namesake, Zachary Roger Andrew Yonkers.
Rogers will be so sadly missed by his wife and loved ones. Heaven must surely be rejoicing over his presence there.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth, with Pastor Danny Blevins officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 6 to 8 PM and one hour prior to services on Thursday.
