Date of Birth:
Sunday, January 12, 1936
Date of Death:
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Age:
89 years old

James Allen Rodrick

James “Jim” Allen Rodrick, Sr., beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on May 11, 2025, at the age of 89. Throughout his life, Jim was known for his kind heart, his generosity, and his incredible strength and resilience.

Jim was born at his family’s home in Douglas, MN, on January 12, 1936, to Arbie and Helen (Lee) Rodrick. He graduated from Byron High School in 1954, where he was a star player on the Byron High School 6-man football team. He went on to play one season of Winona State University football before enlisting in the United States Air Force. After serving his country for four years – including over a year of foreign service – and being honorably discharged as a staff sergeant, he attended Denver University, where he studied hotel and restaurant management. He moved back home to Byron when his mother became terminally ill. Always a devoted son, Jim spent any spare time he had helping to care for his mother until her death in April 1966.

Jim met his future wife Mary (Cassady) in 1965 and they got married on August 13, 1966, in Paynesville, MN. The couple lived in Byron and eventually built a house in rural Byron in the fall of 1970, where they raised their children Jim Jr. and Andrea.

Jim worked for the State of Minnesota Department of Revenue for 34 years before he retired in 2001. Jim also served many years on the Byron School Board, including several years as chairman.

Jim suffered some serious health challenges over the years including cancer, heart bypass, stroke, chronic back pain, and more. Although the difficulty of his health issues greatly increased in recent years, he never complained and was always grateful for life’s countless blessings.

On Sunday, May 11, while his wife, children, and grandchildren were gathered to celebrate Mother’s Day, Jim became suddenly and severely ill. He was taken by ambulance to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN, where he passed away a few hours later surrounded by his loving family.

Jim is survived by his wife Mary, son Jim Jr., daughter Andrea (Mark) Hollerud of Austin, granddaughters Amelia and Melody, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Arbie Rodrick, Jr., sister Mary Ruth (Robert) Stanley, sister Emily Rodrick (Janis Alexander), and infant sister Elizabeth.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 11:00 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Rochester, MN, with visitation at 10:00 AM. Private burial will take place at Pine Island Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Jim’s memory to a charity of your choice.