“What we have enjoyed we can never lose... all that we loved deeply becomes a part of us”
    — Helen Keller

Sample Online Personalized Memorial

James Anthony Rodrigues
November 3, 1983 - July 8, 2003

We all love James a lot, but God loves him more.

Rodrigues, James Anthony, was taken in Fresno, CA  early Tuesday morning in an automobile accident while driving home to Orange County.  James  was traveling with his girlfriend, Holland Richards who is still at University Medical Center in Fresno.  James’ accident has brought together his family and friends to such a reunion of love, laughter, memories and tears that so succinctly exemplified his short beautiful life. 
The cute little scrawny red head grew into a man this year.  He had graduated from Foothill High School and was on the soccer team all four years.  He was currently preparing for his second year at Cal Lutheran University with As and Bs as a freshman.  James’ ambition was to graduate in business and eventually follow in his Dad’s footsteps who had achieved phenomenal success and was James’ idol. Family was so important to James, and it was always a priority.  He had family in Northern and Southern California.  At each location, gatherings were frequent and James loved, and was loved by all. He was the “first” in each family so he was the one all the younger ones gravitated toward.  In No Cal lived his father, Clay, and Step mom, Kris, brothers Robert and Chase and sister Carly;  Uncle and Aunt, 3 cousins and his Grandmother, Clara.  James’ brother Robert, 18, was his best friend.  Although they lived apart by nearly 400 miles, they talked by phone daily.  His family in So Cal included mom, Karen, 3 Aunts and Uncles with 5 cousins and his grandparents, Bob and Dolly Knee, endearingly called Mimi and Poppa still. You would always spot at least one of them at a Foothill soccer match hollering “Go James!” James loved his play time.  He had a large circle of friends and was very social.  He was always the Life of the Party!  Friends and family remember James’ ability to make everyone laugh, not so much with his verbal wit, but his antics humored everyone.  Not a person around doesn’t have a James story to share.  But the best part of James is that he could laugh at himself and he enjoyed his stature as the group clown.  James was intelligent, charming, handsome, and talented.  His future was bright and we all watched him grow, mature and blossom.  In his short 19 years, James won our hearts and we will never forget him.  There will be a visitation from  4 – 8 pm on Friday, July 11, 2003 at Saddleback Chapel.  Services are at 10 am  on Saturday, July 12, 2003 at St. Cecilia Church with burial at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery.  Assisting the family is Saddleback Chapel (714) 544-1450

Add Your Own Comment

[Back to the Personalized Memorials Page]