Mr. Rogers, regretfully, left the schoolyard of life at age 85.  He didn't want to go.  He loved his family, his friends, his community and nature. Jim's life was defined by his relationships with others, always positive and supportive.

Jim was born in Barre, Vermont and had an idyllic childhood growing up in Northfield, Vermont. He graduated from Northfield High School in 1957 and from the University of Vermont in 1961. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and the UVM varsity golf team.  Scholarships, a job cleaning bathrooms at the fraternity house and financial support from Air Force ROTC enabled him to begin adult life.  Jim was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force and served three years at Larson Air Force Base in Washington State.

On a college double date with opposite partners Jim met Connie Anderson.  They were married in 1963 and moved to California the following year.  Jim obtained his teaching credential from San Jose State in 1966.  He began teaching at Brownell School in Gilroy that fall, the beginning of 40 years with Gilroy Unified Schools.  Jim earned his Masters and a counseling credential in 1971 from San Jose State with the help of the GI bill.  He finally got out of junior high in 1991, transitioning from Vice Principal to District Administrator.  Jim loved working with students, teachers and administrators.  After retiring at age 57 he served two terms on the Gilroy School Board from 1998 to 2006.

Jim's retirement years were busy and fulfilling.  He and Connie took several trips to Alaska, Europe, Turkey, Japan and central America.  They made annual trips to their native state of Vermont.  A golfer since age 7, he was finally able to play more often.  He looked forward to volunteering at the AT&T and First Tee tournaments for many years.  He led groups of 6 friends to Spring Training in Phoenix several times.  Jim made memorable back packing trips to the Lost Coast,  Alaska and the Grand Canyon.  He went on weekly hikes with the Hassis group in Monterey County.  From 2007 to 2024 Jim and Connie enjoyed monitoring nest boxes for the Audubon Society, part of a program to provide housing opportunities for the western Bluebird.  Jim also loved Gilroy Gardens where he was one of the original docents and continued for 24 years.

Jim is survived by his wife Connie, sons Andrew (Amy) and Brian, and grandsons AJ and Austen as well as three nephews and a sister in Massachusetts.  A celebration of life is planned for Wednesday, August 13 from 4-6 PM at Creekside Terrace in Gilroy Gardens. If you plan to come, kindly let us know by August 7th by emailing jrogers@garlic.com