Rodney Dean James

Rod passed away at his home in Petaluma on May 1, 2017 with his wife Beatrix by his side. Rod was born on March 25, 1929 to Charles and Louise James in Blue Hills, NE, where he spent most of his early childhood with his two brothers. He started working as a little boy and bought a newspaper route. His family moved to Northern California in 1942 where he finished Middle School and graduated from San Rafael High School in 1947. He took some classes in Community Colleges in Chemistry and Physics. A year later, he signed up to serve his country as a Marine at Camp Pendleton and was honorably discharged three years later. He married his first wife, Tana, in 1948 and they had four children: Sharon, Debbie, Steven and Michael. He became a store manager at Payless Drugs and later started Holiday Magic Cosmetics.  Following this, he started his own business in Novato developing personal care and cleaning products.  In 1986, he met the love of his life Beatrix at a friend’s house. They fell in love and married on November 28, 1992, and moved to Petaluma in 1996. Rod enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and was an avid reader. He shared his political opinions and love for his country. Rod also loved to travel and enjoyed trips with his wife to Switzerland. He joins his parents and brother, Robert, in heaven. He is survived by his wife Beatrix; brother, Morris (Shirley); four children; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service will be held Friday, May 12, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Faith Community Church, 7352 Boris Court, Rohnert Park.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that any donations be made to The Salvation Army.

Faith Community Church