Rodney “Rod” James was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Minot, North Dakota on March 27, 1948. He was the oldest of five children. His family relocated to California when he was a year old.
After graduating from high school he began active duty with the Navy and was sent to Vietnam 1966-1968. Rod served on the Aircraft Carrier USS Ranger CVA61. When the Pueblo was captured by the North Koreans his ship was sent from Vietnam into waters off the coast of North Korea. He said that was the scariest time because of all the Russian ships surrounding them.
When Rod returned to California, he met the love of his life, Joanne Arlene. Just by chance, she was the new kid that had moved in across the street (and so Rod made his move too!)
Rod and Joanne were married in Seaside, California on October 10, 1970. In 1971 they moved to Carrington, North Dakota to operate the bar they had purchased. On their second anniversary, Troy was born. In 1977 their second son Jason arrived. Jeremy their third son, made his presence to the family in 1979. With more mouths to feed, Rod enlisted into the ND National Guard 164 Engineering Battalion. Rod proudly retired from the Army in 2008.
They relocated to Williston in 1982 where Rod became manager of Dakota Farms for eleven years, then the American Legion Club for seven years. Rod worked for Black Hills Trucking for a few years then Cross Country Courier for 5 years. Later he worked for CPS and then Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home.
Wintering in Clovis, New Mexico for a few years, gave Rod the opportunity to volunteer at the Lighthouse Mission. Everyday Rod enjoyed being able to help, visit and feed the homeless people.
Rod lived life to the fullest. He felt he was very lucky and fortunate to see his children grow up and was proud of the young men they had become. Rod loved the time he could spend with his family and grandchildren. Pranks, antics, jokes and laughter was an often occurrence at their home.
One of his favorite past times he enjoyed was watching his children and then his grandchildren play baseball. (Sorry Lacey, he never liked sixth-grade basketball, his comment……“I would rather watch chrome rust”!!)
He was preceded in death by his parents, Josephine Romanoski and James K. Bakken; his brother, Greg Bakken; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. (He had a good reunion when he entered the Pearly Gates.)
Rod is survived by his wife, Joanne; sons, Troy (Heidi), Jason (Kelly) and Jeremy (Stephanie); grandchildren, Lacey (Adam), Layne (Tierra), Taylor, Carter, Ely, Caleb, Cece, Greta, Chaz; great-grandchildren, Audrina, Aubriella, Camden, Ledger, Livia; sisters, Cathy, Debbie (Randy); brother, John (Stephanie).
Memorial Contribution
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the
Williston Boys Baseball
PO Box 1153
Williston, ND 58802
Sue Treider
(Williston, North Dakota)
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Tony Hickel
(Williston, ND)
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Dee Sumners
(Nine Mile Falls, WA)
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Troy and Charity Johnson
(Williston, ND)
Oct 13, 2020
Todd & Tana Hinricksen
(Williston, ND)
Oct 13, 2020
Kyle and Laura Syverso
(Parts unknown , Ga )
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Lester Ronholdt &Family
(Williston , ND)
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Mel Viall
(Tioga, ND)
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JANEL LORENTZ
(McGregor, North Dakota)
Oct 13, 2020
Ronda Peterson
(Williston, ND)
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Jenni Krebsbach
Oct 13, 2020
Dawn Holte
(Williston , North Dakota )
Oct 13, 2020
Paul and Christy Reimer
(Carrington, ND)
Oct 14, 2020
Colin & Liz Lerbakken
(Fargo , ND)
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Aaron Baustad
(Bismarck, North Dakota)
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Butch & Beverly Zahn
(Williston , ND)
Oct 14, 2020
Neva Walsh
(Williston, ND)
Oct 14, 2020
Donna Bakken
(Bismarck, ND)
Oct 14, 2020
Dave & Michelle Benth
(Williston, ND)
Oct 14, 2020
Wendy Johnson
Oct 14, 2020
Cindie
(Innis, Colorado )
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Neva Walsh
(Williston, ND)
Oct 14, 2020
Scott and Colleen Hodenfield
(Minot, ND)
Oct 14, 2020
Debra Bensen
(Bismarck , ND)
Oct 14, 2020
Scott Busching
(Williston, ND)
Oct 14, 2020
Dave & Janice Arnson
(Williston, ND)
Oct 14, 2020
Rayann Lynch
(Williston, Nd)
Oct 14, 2020
Rick and Lee Ann Walther
(Williston , ND)
Oct 15, 2020
Leann iverson
(Williston, Nd)
Oct 16, 2020
Douglas Reimer
(Bismarck, ND)
Oct 16, 2020
Bill Brunsman
(Highland, California)
Oct 16, 2020
Marci Arnold
Oct 16, 2020
Therresa (Larsen) Christopherson
(Williston)
Oct 16, 2020
Debbie and Dave Slais
(Epping, ND)
Oct 16, 2020
Linda Bjella
(Williston, Nd)
Oct 16, 2020
Sarah and Jesse Opsal
(Williston , ND)
Oct 16, 2020
Douglas Reimer
(Bismarck, ND)
Oct 16, 2020
Julie Mcdowell
(Elk River, Minnesota )
Oct 17, 2020
Douglas Reimer
(Bismarck, ND)
Oct 18, 2020
Char Borud
Oct 18, 2020
Tanya Anderse
(Watford City , ND)
Oct 18, 2020
Joe Lee
(Crosby)
Oct 18, 2020
Janet Bartlett
(Williston )
Oct 18, 2020
Julie (Nyquist) & Steve Treib
(Williston, ND)
Oct 19, 2020
Al & Kell
(Alamo, ND)
Oct 19, 2020
Char Borud
Oct 19, 2020
Wanda goetz
(Williston, Nd)
Oct 19, 2020
Pat Hagen
(Williston, ND)
Oct 19, 2020
Douglas Reimer
(Bismarck, ND)
Oct 19, 2020
Rachel (Truckner) Roloff
(Williston, ND)
Oct 20, 2020
Douglas Reimer
(Bismarck, ND)
Oct 20, 2020
Dennis & Connie Glueckert
(Williston, ND)
Oct 22, 2020
Colette Olson
(Osseo, WI)
Dec 7, 2020