James -Jim- Rogers

James Jay Rogers father, husband, Papa and friend passed away unexpectedly at home on Saturday, March 19, 2016. Jim, as he was known, was born February 3, 1937, in Midland, MI to Harry and Nettie Rogers (Richardson). After graduating from Midland High School in 1955, Jim served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves. He married his high school sweetheart, Connie Rider, in 1958, and attended Ferris State University and received a certificate in automotive service in 1961. Jim and Connie moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1964, and later moved to Cottonwood in 1979. Jim retired in 2007, after nearly 40 years of selling diesel engines, transmissions and parts for heavy trucks and equipment he counted his many former customers and colleagues among his friends. Jim was a reserved and private man who loved his family very much, and they loved him equally in return. He lost his beloved wife, Connie, in 2013, and he missed her every day since. He was a steady presence each Sunday morning at Verde Baptist Church, and he was a constant source of love and support for his mother-in-law, Verda Rider of Midland, MI, and for his children and grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Jim was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Nettie and Erie Miller, his sister, Hazel Haggitt, and his brother, H.L. Rogers. He is survived by his mother-in-law and two children daughter, Misty Rogers of Cottonwood, AZ and son, Tad Rogers of Denver, Colorado and three grandchildren Tyler and Taylor Rogers of Cottonwood and Ellen Rogers of Denver. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 2, 2016, at 10:30 AM at Verde Baptist Church in Cottonwood, AZ, and he will be laid to rest with Connie at Hansen\u0027s Desert Hills in Scottsdale on Monday, April 4, 2016 at 11:00 AM, where there will be a short graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim\u0027s memory to Rusty\u0027s Morningstar Ranch (P.O. Box 759, Cornville, AZ 86325-0759), or to the American Humane Society.