Published: May 30, 2008 10:08 pm            

James W. Rodgers Jr.

James W. Rodgers Jr. cheated death twice – when he was shot down during WW II and when he had a stroke in Athens, Greece – but he finally succumbed on Memorial Day, May 26, 2008. As an active and proud member of the American Legion, Jim was a veteran’s veteran and appropriately went home on a day honoring veterans.

Jim, 90, was born in Holdenville, Oklahoma on September 30, 1917 to Taska Powell Rodgers and James W. Rodgers, Sr. He was graduated from Holdenville High School with the class of 1934 and attended Oklahoma University. His college education was interrupted by WWII.

Jim was a waist gunner and radio operator on the B-24, “Diamond Lil,” serving with the rank of staff sergeant. The “Diamond Lil” was shot down over Austria on May 24, 1944.

Due to a mix-up in parachutes, Jim was listed as killed in action. He was awarded three bronze stars and a purple heart which were presented to his parents posthumously. The mistake was finally corrected six weeks later when his parents received the joyous news that Jim was a prisoner of war.

Jim was held in Stalag Luft XVII B, Dulag Luft IV and Stalag Luft I until his liberation on May 13, 1945. Jim always believed that every day after that were the extra days given to him so that he could help other veterans and their families.

Jim returned to Oklahoma University and received his law degree in 1948. He married Sarah Jane Berry in 1949 and began his married and professional life in Holdenville that same year.

He practiced law with his father until his father’s death in 1969. He maintained his law practice until 1995 when a stroke made it necessary to retire.

After church and family, The American Legion was his consuming passion. He served as commander of the Department of Oklahoma in 1954 and on several national committees through the years.

The Legion Baseball program was very important to him. He served as manager of the local team for many years.

OU sports were also a major part of his life. He followed all of OU games, in person when possible but always on TV or the radio.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal church where he served as Lay Reader. He was a member of the board of the American Red Cross, and a 39 year member of the board of the Stillwater National Bank. He also was active in the Kiwanis Club and a former mayor of Holdenville. He was chairman of Oklahoma’s Citizens Flag Alliance.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sarah Jane of the home, four children: James William “Bill” Rodgers, III and wife Pamela of Richardson, Texas, Robert Berry “Bob” and wife Judy of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, Beverly of Okmulgee, and Rebecca “Becky” Rodgers Smith and husband Steve of Reynolds Plantation, Georgia.

He is also survived by two grandchildren Robert Berry “Rob” Rodgers Jr. and wife Abby of Tulsa, Jennifer Rodgers of Oklahoma City; a sister, Bethenia Reilly, formerly of Holdenville, in Ocala, Florida; four step-grandchildren and eight step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in the name of James W. Rodgers Jr. to the American Legion Children’s Home Endowment Fund, 1300 Summers Place, Ponca City, OK 74604 or the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.

Memorial services for James W. Rodgers Jr. are to be held 2 p.m. Thursday, May 29, 2008 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 120 East 8th Street in Holdenville under the direction of Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home.

        

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