James J. "Jim" Rodgers

It is with love and profound gratitude for his life that the family of James (“Jim”) Jude Rodgers announces his passing on the 27th of July, 2023, at home in Corvallis, Montana, surrounded by his beloved daughter Karen, son-in-law Chris and grandchildren William and Eva.

Preceding him in death was the love of his life, Elsie, to whom he had been devotedly married for over fifty years. In addition, Jim will join in heaven his parents, Thomas and Beatrice, his sister Mary Margaret and her husband, Patrick, their son Patrick Jr., brother Tom, sister Beatrice (“Sissy”), sister Teresa, brother Jack, grandson Samuel, mother-in-law Elsie, father-in-law James and sister-in-law Sylvia.

Jim is survived by his and Elsie’s three children; Gary Rodgers (Mary Lou), Karen Rodgers (Chris Martin) and David Rodgers as well as eight grandchildren; Keegan Rodgers (Rachel), Jillian Rodgers (Sam Musselman), Mackenzie Rodgers (Steven Paciga), William Martin, Eva Martin, Abbey Rodgers, Claudia Rodgers and Ben Rodgers and two great-grandchildren; Blake Rodgers and Cade Musselman. Jim was also loving Uncle to many nieces and nephews and brother in-law to Stan Roscoe (Maureen), Dave Baker, Heidi Payne, and Lois Zdmudzinski.

Jim was born on October 8, 1936, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  He was the son of the late Thomas and Beatrice (Bisman) Zmudzinski. In 1948 Jim attended Holy Family Institute for five years with his older and younger brothers, Tom and Jack and North Catholic for three years. Jim spent eighteen months studying in Japan and graduated from Narimasu High School, Tokyo in 1954. He was an ambitious member of the Newspaper Club, class officer and esteemed player for their baseball and football teams. Jim spoke highly of his time in Japan and often referred to his newfound yearning for adventure as his reason for joining the Navy in 1955. Jim served for eleven years, during which he worked as a member of the Admiral’s staff during the Cuban Missile Crisis and as a member of the communications staff for the rescuing of Colonel John Glenn and Friendship Seven aboard USS Randolph. Jim was a proud patriot and loved serving his country.

Following his deployment to London, England in 1955 on the USS Intrepid, Jim met his beloved, future wife, Elsie. Jim and Elsie had an eternal love. For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, Jim and Elsie loved and cherished one another. Together they raised their three children in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. Jim worked for a large regional newspaper where he employed the communication skills he learned in the Navy. In 1981 Jim and Elsie, along with their three children, immigrated to America. Jim and Elsie maintained a strong moral character and respect for education which they instilled in their three children and, subsequently, in their grandchildren. At the age of sixty-five, Elsie was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Degeneration, at which time Jim retired from his employment with the United States Postal Service to care for her full time. After Elsie’s death in 2010, Jim founded Pittsburgh’s first support group for the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. Never one to sit idle, he took dance lessons with the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Wexford and competed nationally. He also enjoyed gardening and supporting his favorite baseball and football teams: Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Sadly, in April of 2015 Jim suffered a stroke which severely compromised both his speech and mobility. It was at this time that Jim’s daughter, Karen, and her family brought him to their home in Sherborn, Massachusetts to care for him. During this season of his life, Jim continued to bring joy to everyone around him.  He became known to the local community as “Granddad” and maintained his love for dancing, music and laughter. He was an active member of Boston University’s Aphasia Recourse Center through which he enjoyed the company of others that also suffered from aphasia. In 2022 Jim accompanied his daughter, Karen, and son-in-law, Chris, to Corvallis, Montana on their never-ending journey for adventure.

Jim was a man of resilience, integrity, and curiosity. From the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, he was all mirth. Jim was loved by many for his sense of humor, thoughtfulness and million-dollar smile. In lieu of flowers, please share a dance with someone you love, perform a simple act of kindness or volunteer at a local organization. Please also find information below to donate to Boston University Aphasia Resource Center or the Association of Frontotemporal Degeneration in his honor.

Friends and family will be received at the Boylan-Glenn-Kildoo Funeral Home, 130 Wisconsin Ave, Cranberry Township, PA, on Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a service and military honors at 11:00 am.

https://trusted.bu.edu/s/1759/22/form.aspx?sid=1759&gid=2&pgid=412&cid=1044&dids=263&appealcode=WEBAGC&bledit=1

https://www.classy.org/give/381228/#!/donation/checkout

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