Colonel James Loyd “Jim” Rooker passed away at home Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. Jim was diagnosed in December of 2019 with carcinoma cancer from an unknown primary source and fought hard before he peacefully left his earthly home surrounded by loved ones.
Jim was born Aug. 12, 1938 in Rome, Georgia to Robert Nathaniel “RN” and Daisy Franklin (Bullard) Rooker. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Bertas Lee Rooker (Joanne – deceased); and a nephew, Donald Bruce Rooker. He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Jane (Tucker) Rooker; his four children: Sheryl Dawn Rooker Lee (Jeff) – Hartselle, AL, Wendolyn Kaye “Wendy” Rooker Crider (Tony) – Bremen, AL, Suzanne Carol “Suzi” Rooker Starosta (Scott) – Cumming, GA, and James Allen William Rooker (Jennifer) – Vidalia, GA. He also leaves behind the following grandchildren: Kiah Clay Crider (Katy) – Auburn, AL, Kaylin Kate “Ka-Ka” (Crider) Tuten (Jordan) – Bremen, AL, Hannah Alexis Lee – Birmingham, AL, Kramer Scott Crider – Mobile, AL, Montana Louise Rooker – Vidalia, GA, and Jade Mariduena Starosta – Cumming, GA; a great-granddaughter, Caroline James Crider – Auburn, AL; and great-grandson, Baby Tuten (due February 28, 2021) – Bremen, AL. Jim also leaves behind his sister, Shirley Ann Rooker Biddy (Joe, deceased) – Birmingham, AL; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services for Colonel Rooker will be held at Moss Service Funeral Home, 1901 Second Ave. NW, Cullman, AL 35055 (256-734-1821) Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; funeral at 1 p.m. with a graveside service to follow at Ryans Creek Baptist Church, 24849 County Road 222, Bremen, AL 35033.
As a young child, Jim moved to Cullman, AL. He was raised in church and became a Christian at the age of 12 at First Baptist Church of Cullman. He was a 1956 graduate of Cullman High School and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Auburn University, Auburn, AL in December 1960. He enjoyed playing his trombone in both the Cullman High School and Auburn University bands. Colonel Rooker was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program and after marrying his bride, Linda Jane Tucker, Dec. 31, 1960, he entered active duty in January 1961.
Colonel Rooker had the privilege of serving in the military in various places such as Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio; Edwards Air Force Base, Edwards, California; and a temporary assignment in Philadelphia, PA. He was first assigned to the Aeronautical Systems Division (Ohio) as a Flight Control System’s Engineer and performed tests on various aircraft and helicopters, one of which was the Huey helicopter Bell UH-1. His second assignment was with the Flight Test Center (California) as a helicopter flight test engineer. In Philadelphia, he was assigned to perform stability control tests on the Chinook helicopter and continued this testing in Lancaster, CA. All of these various testing projects were in an effort to improve combat and rescue missions during the Vietnam War.
In 1966, Colonel Rooker resigned his commission and returned to Dayton, Ohio, and began serving in the Civil Service with the Flight Dynamics Laboratory in support of the Vietnam War effort. One of his highlighted accomplishments was having the privilege to perform G-force testing for the Apollo Space Program for which he received hazard duty pay.
Colonel Rooker’s military awards and decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and Air Force Training Ribbon.
In 1970, he moved his family to Cullman County, and in 1973, he entered the USAF Reserves as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee. During his Reserve Duty, he worked in the Aircraft Engineering Section, Directorate of Maintenance and the 2955th Combat Logistics Support Squadron at Warner Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. Of his many accomplishments, he earned the rank of Colonel in 1987 and later retired from the Reserves in 1992 as a Full Bird Colonel.
While living in Cullman County, Jim worked in various job capacities. From 1970-75, he partnered along side his mother-in-law and father-in-law (Grace and L.C. Tucker) in their greenhouse business, Mums Incorporated. Then, from 1975-81, Jim worked for Winston Industries, Inc., as a chief engineer under George Hammett, who became a good friend. From 1981-2003, Jim worked as a Nuclear Project Support Engineer for Southern Company Services, Inc. in Birmingham, AL, and during his service to this company he was assigned to Hatch Nuclear Power Plant in Baxley, GA, for several years. After relocating back to Birmingham, AL, he was awarded the 1994 Engineering Excellence Award before retiring from this Alabama Power Company in 2003.
Jim was a member of First Baptist Church, Cullman, AL, from his youth to 1960, and then from 1970-2006. While attending FBC, he was an active member and enjoyed singing in the Chancel Choir under music directors Jim Walker, Danny Martin, and Bob Morrison. A few of his highlights were performing during the Christmas seasons as a member of the Living Christmas Tree Choir as well as having the privilege of playing his trombone in the orchestra during seasonal choir programs. After his retirement, Jim and his wife, Jane, relocated to the Bremen area and moved their church membership to Ryans Creek Baptist Church in 2006.
Jim loved his wife, Jane, and his children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter, Caroline, whom he had the privilege of knowing for 10 months. He rejoiced in the news that a great-grandson was on the way and due Feb. 28, 2021. He loved spending time with family, supporting his children in their numerous church and school activities while they were growing up, and being able to watch his grandchildren grow up, supporting them in the same capacity.
Jim was a huge Auburn Tiger fan! “War Eagle” was a phrase he loved saying! He also loved flying which was probably his true passion in life. He was an excellent flight instructor through Wallace State Community College for many years. When his health issues would no longer allow him to pilot a plane, he was often asked to co-pilot alongside Dr. Rex Adams, his dentist and friend. Jim once flew his family from the Vinemont Airport to Miami, FL, during Thanksgiving to visit with his wife’s sister and her family. He enjoyed traveling on the road as well and one of the most memorable family vacations was a trip they took in 1975. Jim rented a camper and took his family along with his parents on a 3 week trip out West covering 17 different states and viewing and visiting some of God’s beautiful creations and National Parks.
Jim was a long-time member of the Cullman Lion’s Club and served as their president in the 1980’s. During his time in the Lion’s Club, he helped with several annual events like the fair parade, the fair queen pageant, and the ham and fish supper, all with the goal of raising money for the blind. Jim received the Lion’s Club International Melvin Jones Fellow Award for his humanitarian services. He also enjoyed serving on the Cullman Community Concert Board and helped to select musicians for local performances. He was a member of the National Society of Sons of the American Revolution (Cullman Chapter), a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and teaching American history to future generations. He also loved researching his own family genealogy.
Jim was stern and firm about his beliefs and loved Jesus, his family, friends, community, and service to this awesome country. He was patriotic, a conservative Republican, and believed in pro-life. He made sure he cast his vote by absentee ballot before he died! He was quick tempered, but also sweet and tender-hearted. He knew his sins were forgiven because of his salvation through Jesus Christ. He rededicated his life to Christ in February of 1989 and he knew he was going to heaven for his eternal home. He left this earth quickly and peacefully after battling his hard fight against cancer. His favorite verse was John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life.”
We are thankful God chose Jim to be our daddy and husband to our mother. We will miss him here on earth, but know he is with Jesus and all the loved ones who have gone before him. We know that through the gift of Jesus, we will see him again for all of eternity.
Rest in Peace! We love you!!
Upon Jim’s request, donations can be made to the following places: Ryans Creek Baptist Church, Bremen, AL; First Baptist Church, Cullman, AL; Cullman Lion’s Club; and the American Cancer Society.
The family would like to extend their love and appreciation to all healthcare professionals through the Clearview Cancer Institute, Jasper, AL; Hospice Southern Care New Beacon, Cullman, AL; Visiting Angels, Cullman, AL; as well as Walker Baptist Medical Center and UAB Hospital. We also want to thank all those who took time out of their day to pray, call, text, send cards, provide meals, and help with personal care.
