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JAMES C. RODGERS, JR.

JAMES C. RODGERS, JR.

James C. Rodgers, Jr. 91 years old, of Milan, Missouri passed away Thursday, January 13, 2022 in Overland Park, Kansas.

James was born on July 30, 1930 in Chillicothe, Missouri to James and Lola (Cooper) Rodgers.

On March 18, 1952 in Trenton, Missouri he married Joanne (Murdock) Rodgers who survives the home.

Jim is survived by nephews, James (Tammy) Helms, Jerry Helms, Jim (Linda) Dunlap; and nieces Donna (Ed) Yardley, and Kathy Helms of Milan. James is also survived by: great nieces, Vicki (Timothy) Lopatofsky and their children Luke, Mark, and Abigail; Carol (Jerry) Martin, Sharon Buck, Valerie Harris, Kelly (Gene) Fanning, Rachel (Seth) Robey, Marci Helms. He is survived by great nephews, Zane (Debbie) Klein, Troy Klein, John Dunlap, Carson Dunlap, Max Dunlap (Jenny), Rory (Lori) also survived by a host of relatives and friends.

James is preceded in death by: his parents, one son Robert Lynn Rodgers in infancy, a brother Charles Rodgers; a sister, Juanita Helms and husband Don; a nephew Jack Helms; a great nephew Ed Yardley.

James grew up in Chillicothe and attended High School in Milan. He then worked for John Deere in East Moline, Illinois, before serving in the United States Air Force in Newfoundland and Germany. He later worked in the automotive, aircraft industry, for General Motors, and worked in a test lab as a Geotech retiring in 2001. In 2005, James and wife, Joanne, moved to Milan to retire in the community.

James loved his family and community. James was an active member of the United Methodist Church, Provost for the Ararat Shrine, a member of the American Legion Post #228, the Mason Lodge, and the Shriners. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and attending all their activities. He enjoyed golfing, boating, camping, cooking, and traveling. He enjoyed driving around the looking at the many sites of the country. He loved being part of the Milan community by delivering Meals on Wheels in his retirement years, visiting at the Milan senior center and Pete’s Place in Green City.

The family received friends Saturday, January 22, 2022, at the Schoene-Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Milan. Burial followed at the Bairdstown Cemetery with Military Rites.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Bairdstown Cemetery or the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.