James Newell Rogers

James Newell Rogers died on June 23, 2015 in Albuquerque, NM, after a long illness. He was 87. Jim was born in Evanston, IL on May 24, 1928, the only child of Hanford Newell Rogers and Mary Salona (Lona) Rogers (nee Ruddick). His father died when Jim was very young. After his father's death Jim and his mother moved to southern California, where they lived for several years. The Rogers family relocated to Indianapolis, IN in the late 1930s. Lona's brother had a hearing aid business; eventually Jim's mother took the business over and ran it until she retired. Jim attended a public grade school in Indianapolis and then went to the Park School (now Park Tudor). He graduated in 1947. Owing in part to his Southern family connections (Hanford's first wife was from an old family in Laurel, Mississippi), Jim matriculated at the University of Alabama in the fall of 1947. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Music in 1951. Upon his graduation Jim moved to New York, where he enrolled in a Master's music program at Columbia University. He was awarded a Master's degree in December, 1952. The next stop was the Army, where Jim served for two years. He was in the Army Band and was stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1955. On his return to the States Jim moved back to Indianapolis and began a career in book publishing. He worked for Hackett Publishing Company for many years, and later for the Holcomb Research Institute at Butler University. At Hackett Publishing Jim's special interest and talent was interior book design. After the death of his first wife, Mary Rogers, Jim married Kay Rogers. They later divorced. In 1982 Jim married Cynthia Snowden. They remained married more than 33 years until Jim's death. Jim and Cynthia lived in Indianapolis until 1994. On retirement, they moved to the Sea Ranch, CA, where they built a house overlooking the Pacific Ocean. They lived at their Sea Ranch house for ten years, then relocated to Placitas, NM in 2005. Jim is survived by his wife, Cynthia Snowden; two stepsons, Nathan (together with wife Laurie and sons Tobin, Gabriel, and Malcolm) and David Thuma (together with wife Becky and daughter Kate); nephew, Robert Hynson (together with wife Lessley and son Robert); and cousin, Fran Ruddick. Jim had many interests. He loved classical music, especially Mozart, and was a skilled pianist. He was an audiophile, devoting much time, energy, and money to his stereo equipment. Jim also was an avid pilot. He flew small planes and owned several, which he hangered in Westfield, Indiana, north of Indianapolis. After marrying Cynthia, Jim became an accomplished equestrian. They owned and stabled several horses at Grandview Stables in Indianapolis and at the Sea Ranch. They took riding vacations in France, Ireland, England, and Kenya. Jim loved books and reading, with a particular interest in World Wars I and II. He appreciated a good red wine and a New York Strip. Jim was a kind, considerate person and a good husband. He was a great lover of animals of all varieties. Jim had a good sense of humor, with a keen eye for the absurd or ridiculous. He was quite fond of the off color limerick, much to his wife's chagrin. Jim lived a full, long life. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 17, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Wyoming followed by a reception. FRENCH - Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400