James Madison Rodgers, Jr., 82 of Columbus, Georgia passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2017 at Midtown Medical Center. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at 3:00 PM in the Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby, Columbus, Georgia with Reverend Tommy Henschel officiating. Interment to follow at Parkhill Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Julius Matos, Steven Smith, Matthew Baumann, Christopher Fail, Dakota Adkins, John Barton, Billy Daniel, Adam Hart, Zack Ledford, Bud Hart, Keith Carpenter. Family will visit with friends Tuesday, August 01, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Striffler-Hamby.
James was born on September 01, 1934 in Columbus, Georgia to the late James Madison Rodgers, Sr. and Eula Belle Messer Rodgers. He was raised during early childhood in the Morningside area on Rodgers Drive, which was named so after his father. Later he resided in the East Highland area and was a member of East Highland Primitive Baptist Church. In 1947, when he was 12, his mother passed. His father and Eva Mae Stephens married and the family resided on a farm, “Standing Boy Ranch”, out Hamilton Road at Standing Boy Creek. He dropped out of school at the age of 17 and joined the Navy where he served until the age of 21. He was stationed at Tongue Point in Astoria, Oregon, met Rosemary Ritz Stotler and the were married in the early 50’s. After his tour of duty, they returned to Columbus, Georgia. James and Rosie had a strong Christian upbringing and continued membership at East Highland Primitive Baptist Church as a family. They moved their membership to Mt. Zion in the 70s, later to Pinehurst Baptist, and was a member at Cornerstone Baptist in Cataula, Georgia at the time of his passing. He was a plumber by trade. After his father passed in 1971, wishing to continue the family legacy which began in 1932, he became owner and President of Rodgers-Morgan Plumbing & Heating Company and worked there with his wife until they retired in 2000. After James’ wife passed in 2006 he frequented the Gallops Senior Center where he met Jean Shiver. James and Jean were married on July 06, 2014 at Cornerstone Baptist Church.
James was a CB club member with the handle of “White Lightening” during his 30’s. He is also a member of the VFW. He returned to farm life in the 70’s in North Columbus and continued in Midland, Georgia. He enjoyed raising cows, pigs, doves, a horse, dogs, rabbits and a garden with his wife. Jim and Rosie loved vacationing in the mountains and at Mexico Beach, Florida. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
James is also preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary Ritz Rodgers; daughter, Patricia Lynn Rodgers; son, James Madison Rodgers, III; daughter in law, Sarah Dolly Wright, and great granddaughter Jaylah Dee Matos. James Madison Rodgers, Jr. is survived by his second wife Jean Rodgers and his sister Evelyn Downey who loved him dearly, and leaves his legacy to his loving daughters, Rosemary Rodgers Dockery and husband Darrell, Eva Marie Hart and husband Joseph, Tina Louise Sanderson and husband James, 11 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, numerous other relatives and good friends.
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