Jim Rogers

Jim Rogers, age 80, of Lamar, passed away Friday, April 27, 2012, at Truman Healthcare   Center.                 Jim was born June 26, 1931, at Shidler, Oklahoma, to James and Olga (Galloupe) Rogers.  At the age of five, Jim moved with his family to a turkey and chicken farm east of Sheldon, Missouri.  His natural talent and passion for fishing began at an early age as he reeled in reputable catches on a home-made pole and line on his way to and from school.  After graduating from Sheldon High School in 1949, Jim earned accreditation in railroad communications and went to work for the Rock Island Railroad in Manley, Iowa, later switching to the MO-Pacific Railroad where he worked through 1961 as a telegraph operator.  While working for the railroad full-time, Jim was crafting lures in his spare time, first for family and friends, then world-wide after establishing Rogers Lures in 1959.  He travelled the country, hosting fishing seminars and trick-casting demonstrations, and, as an extraordinary story teller, delighted young and old alike.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Fishing in Hayward, Wisconsin in 2004.  Jim and Babe were inducted into NFLCC of Antique Fishing Lure Collectors in 1997 and have the distinction of being the only man and wife team.   Jim and Babe won the Mr. And Mrs. World Series of Sport Fishing Tournaments in 1963 and 1966.  In 1977 Jim won The Indiana State Tournament and the New York Invitational Tournament and also qualified for the B.A.S.S. Masters Classic at Lake Toko, Florida.  In 1992, while still on crutches after a hip replacement, he won the Old Timers B.A.S.S. Tournament.  Jim had a TV show “Fishing with Jim Rogers” on KOAM, Channel 7 sponsored by GIBSONS, that was syndicated to other areas of the U.S. He also had a radio program on KKOW, "The Fishing Report" which informed local fishermen where to fish and what to use and lake conditions. Jim also appeared on many segments of the “Fishing Hole” with his long time friend Jerry McKinnis.  Over the many years of tournament fishing he always placed in the top 10.  He was a member of B.A.S.S.  Jim gave of his time and talent to Special Olympics for many years, teaching the joy of fishing to Special Olympians at Gastons Resort in Lakeview, Arkansas and Steam Boat Springs, Colorado.  He was an instructor for Indiana State University for 14 years as well as an instructor of a fishing school for the City Parks and Recreation Department of Lincoln, Nebraska for 13 years. Jim is also included in the 100 LIVING LEGENDS OF SPORT FISHING. Jim loved fishing and would share his knowledge with anyone that would ask him anything. When at fishing tournaments you would always find several fishermen in his room at night wanting to learn what he knew about fishing  His love of fishing took him all over the United States, Canada and even to Cuba by special permission. He was a member of  Grace Lutheran Church where he was an Elder, a Youth Leader and a Sunday School Teacher.      By his side through all his endeavors was his business partner and wife of over 61 years, Babe (Blanchard) Rogers.  They were married November 26, 1950, at St. James Church north of Milford, Missouri, and she survives, of the home.  Also surviving are two sons and their wives, Steve & Cindy Rogers, Kansas City, Missouri and Russ & Rhonda Rogers, Independence, Missouri; three daughters, Paula Dixon, Lamar, Pat Rogers, Rogers, Arkansas, and Sharon & husband David Martin, Grapevine, Texas.  He also leaves 12 grandchildren, Case Dighero, Chris (Jennifer Marti) Dixon, Stevie (Antoinette) Rogers, Eric (Ana) Rogers, Ryan (Allison) Martin, Heather (Wes) Harris, Amanda (Scott) Kentner, Megan (Cody) McCollough, Nicole Solomon Mandy (Kevin) Sellmeyer, Shannon (Vince) Peisert, Holly Shay (Fernando) Mendez; and 19 great-grandchildren, Jordan, Austin, & Daniel Sellmeyer, Joshua Goodridge, Andrew Mendez, Jack Solomon, Jaxon & Kyson Dixon, Van Kentner Madison & Savannah Peisert, Sicily, Eliza, Kentner, Lily & Georgi Dighero, Hailey Goodridge, Rorie & Marrah McCollough, Chrislyn Dixon.      Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Doris Jo Criswell; and his son, Bobby Rogers.      The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 2nd, at Daniel Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 3rd, at Grace Lutheran Church with Rev. Galen Friedrichs officiating.  Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.      Memorial contributions are suggested to Grace Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund or Leon Owen Scholarship Fund in care of Daniel Funeral Home.