James William “Jim” Rodgers was born October 23rd, 1959 in Columbia City, Indiana, the third son of Carl and Shirley (Allsop) Rodgers.
Jim grew up in a busy household with two older brothers and a dad going to college on the GI Bill. There was very little money, but always love.
When he was just a few months old the family moved back to Kansas, settling in Agra, which would become his life-long home.
Jim was a free spirit. His love for the outdoors and nature began at an early age. As a young boy he could often be seen pedaling his bike, off to fish at Dean’s pond, always with his faithful dog by his side. Jim was a fun loving boy who loved to tease, especially his Mom. One occasion, during his sophomore year in high school, he was leaving for school with his wicked grin, when his mother walked into the kitchen to see a stuffed mole sitting in front of a heating vent.
Jim was an honor student but one of his great loves was his trumpet, which he could make “talk”. His senior year at the spring music concert, his band teacher gave him a nod and he played the theme to “Rocky”, which as someone recalled, gave you “goose bumps”. His other loves, besides hunting and fishing, were basketball and football. His senior year he received recognition by the All Salina Journal Area and Honorable Mention All-State in eight-man football.
Jim completed one year of college toward his goal to go into Wildlife Management. At the beginning of his sophomore year, the illness that was to change his life forever made its appearance. He struggled throughout the rest of his life, which left its mark not only on him but his family as well. The stigma attached to this illness is devastating, and leads to a very lonely existence for those that are burdened with it. Jim was blessed with a father who never gave up on him, and who loved and cared for him always.
Jim was diagnosed with cancer this summer and passed away at the Legends Care Facility in Tonganoxie, KS on November 10, 2018. He was blessed by loving care and concern from his sister and brothers, which made his last months so much better.
Fly with the geese and soar with the eagles, Jim – you were loved.
Jim is survived by his mom, Shirley Rodgers, of Agra, KS; his brothers, Chris & wife, Jackie of Durham, NC and John & wife, Lori of Lawrence, KS; his sister, Kim Beach & husband, Tracy of Phillipsburg; 11 nieces and nephews: Dee Dee Penny, Carisa Dodson & husband, Blair, Evan Rodgers, Ian Rodgers, Spencer Rodgers, Brendon Beach & wife, Sadie, Taylor Hardin & husband, Tommy, and Alexi Beach; caring aunts and uncles; cousins who helped brighten his last days; and five great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his dad, Carl; grandparents, William & Margery Allsop and Robert & Kathryn Rodgers.
A memorial service for Jim Rodgers will be held Sunday, December 2nd, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the Community Church of God, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Tim Kraft officiating. The family will greet friends in the fellowship hall of the church following the service.
A private inurnment will be held at a later date in the Agra Cemetery, Agra, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to the Agra Lake.
