James Joseph (Jim) Rozier passed away peacefully on the afternoon of March 8, 2023.
Jim is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lorraine (Kruger) Rozier (married September 13, 1952).
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Leontine “Sis” (Hurst) Rozier and Floyd Leo Rozier; his son, Michael James Rozier; one angel grandchild; and 4 angel great-grandchildren including great-grandson, John Gustav “Gus” Rose.
He is survived by his daughters, Deborah “Debbie” Todhunter, Whiteville, Tennessee; Denise (David) Ruebsam, Ballwin, Missouri; Diana (Rich) Buchheit, Perryville, Missouri; and daughter-in-law, Monica Rozier, Bloomsdale, Missouri.
Jim enjoyed all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren (no favorites, he said, he loved them all) and loved to read many stories to them!!
He is survived by nine grandchildren: Sarah (Thomas) Seiter, Warrenville, South Carolina; Luke (Cortney Sidener) Ruebsam, Town & Country, Missouri; Nick (Cathy) Rozier, Bloomsdale, Missouri; Matthew (Emily) Todhunter, Hickory, North Carolina; Tony (Kristin) Ruebsam, Kirkwood, Missouri; Danielle (Steve) Messer, Perryville, Missouri; Brian (Jenny) Buchheit, Fenton, Missouri; Kate (Danny) McCarthy, Webster Groves, Missouri; and Adam (Rylee) Buchheit, Wentzville, Missouri.
He is also survived by 22 great-grandchildren: Adrianna, Eva, and Aurora Messer; Ellie, Grayson, and Simon; Michael, David, and Lucy Rozier; Liam, Elijah, and Nathaniel Todhunter; Vivienne and Simone Ruebsam; Lorelei, Olivia, Caroline, and Abigail Buchheit; Kingston Wintergate, Bella and Delilah Ruebsam; and Tanner Buchheit.
Jim retired from River Cement Company after 30 years of employment as a heavy equipment operator.
One of Jim’s great passions was football. A 1949 graduate of Ste. Genevieve High School, he played right tackle and lettered three years for the Dragons. In 1947 the team was 8-2, a record that remained for 32 years! Jim had one son-in-law who played for Valle and Arkansas State University, and one son-in-law who played for St. Vincent. He had the pleasure of watching his son and grandson play for Valle, 2 grandsons play for St. Vincent, and 2 grandsons play for Christian Brothers. He was a regular at the Valle Fieldhouse on home game nights for many years, attended every Valle State Championship game, and beamed with pride watching the St. Vincent Indians (grandson) win the State Championship in 2004.
Too young to serve in the armed services during World War II, and prevented from serving in the Korean War by physical injury, Jim had a tremendous respect for those who served. He made sure family members had flags to fly at the VFW Memorial Day flag display, doggedly ensured that his brother-in-law’s grave stone properly documented his service record, and while grandsons were serving, flew the Navy and Army flags in front of his home every day. Perhaps because he grew up during WWII, he enjoyed reading anything and everything about the war. When ebooks became available, he meticulously logged the books he read, read for several hours every night, and at last count had a list numbering over 325 books.
His gruff exterior belied a tenderness and devotion to his family and community:
·Donated blood (203 pints, over 25 gallons!) to Red Cross over 64 years. (His grandmother lied about his age once when donations were slim-though a reluctant recruit in the beginning, he stopped only when his health no longer permitted it.)
·Attained fourth degree status as a member of Knights of Columbus, having joined in 1953.
·Accumulated 47 years at various Locals as a proud union member.
One of his greatest joys, as anyone who knew him recognized, was how much he enjoyed gardening and yard work. For years he rooted pussy willow cuttings, donating them to the Garden Walk sale. He and Lorraine derived much joy and pleasure from tending their expansive and varied rose garden and then sharing it with the community. At its peak the garden consisted of over 225 roses and was featured in an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Jim and Lorraine generously shared their beautiful garden with friends and neighbors at hospitals, nursing homes, and churches as well as providing roses for the tables of Café Genevieve for many years, until health no longer permitted.
In lieu of gifts and flowers, please consider making a donation to Valle Catholic Athletic Association.
Visitation is at Basler Funeral Home in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, on Sunday, March 12, 2023, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm and Monday, March 13, 2023, from 8:00 am until 9:30 am.
Mass will be offered at Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church, Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, on Monday, March 13, 2023, at 10:00 am, the Rev. Edward Nemeth officiating. Interment will be in Valle Spring Cemetery in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Online condolences can be left at www.baslerfuneralhome.com