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James Arthur Rooker
Born: 6/7/1930
Died: 4/2/2022
Age: 91
Community: Davison, MI
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ROOKER, James Arthur – of Davison, MI, 91, passed away on Saturday, April 2, 2022. Cremation has taken place. Services provided by Allen Funeral Home will include visitation on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 from 4 PM to 7 PM. The Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 1 PM, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Novak officiating, with one hour visitation prior. A Celebration of Life for Jim and Jeanne, who preceded him in death on February 1, will be held at the farm this summer.
Jim was born in Saginaw, MI on June 7, 1930, son of the late John and Fay (Scull) Rooker. Jim graduated from Saginaw Arthur Hill in 1948. His strong sense of leadership began with his involvement in 4-H and FFA. He was the recipient of the Upjohn Richland colt for his accomplishments in his last year of 4-H. Jim attended Michigan State University, studying Animal Husbandry, continuing in the College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1954. While at MSU, he joined the Block and Bridle Club where he met the love of his life, Jeanne. He married Jeanne Ackerman on December 19 of 1953. After graduation, Jim served his country in the US Army Veterinary Corps, stationed in Chicago, IL and then Kansas City, MO.
Upon returning to Michigan, Jim and Jeanne opened their mixed animal veterinary clinic in 1958 and were later joined by Jim’s brother John. Jim enjoyed sharing his veterinary knowledge as an Assistant Adjunct Professor. He hosted Michigan State Veterinary students on his many horse calls as well as in the hospital. In 2012, he was honored to receive the College of Veterinary Medicine “Rooker Award for Excellence in Equine Practice.”
Jim was an active member of the Davison Kiwanis, Rotary and the Genesee County Agricultural Society Board. He served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Quarter Horse Association, the Arabian Horse Association of Michigan, the Michigan Horse Show Association and the American Horse Show Association. He was honored by the MHSA as “Horseman of the Year” for his commitment to developing youth by co-founding the All-Breed Youth Horse Show in Detroit and for donating a colt six consecutive years to deserving 4-H members. In addition, Jim served on the Arabian Horse Registry as a Governing Member for 31 years, five of those years as President. Believing in the preservation of the Arabian horse, he was also a member of the Purebred Arabian Trust which created the Arabian Horse Gallery in Lexington, Kentucky.
Jim and Jeanne had many great adventures with their horses, won countless awards and met many great friends from all over the country. Together they are proud breeders of 264 Arabian horses and have owned 468 Arabian and Half Arabian Horses.
Jim is survived by his loving daughters, Nancy (Robert) Meszko, Deborah (Kenneth) Geuns and Janet (David Johnston) Rooker; granddaughter, Christina (Fiancé, Jeff MacNaughton) Geuns; special cousin, George (Barbara) Killeen; special friends, Ken Merritt, Melissa (Tim) Wandrey and their girls, James Johnson (Diana); dear brothers and sisters, William (Sandra) Rooker, Jean Rooker, John K. Rooker, Margaret Gehl and Shirley (Ronald) Gavenda; many other loving family and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jeanne; father and mother-in-law, John and Helen Ackerman; brother, Gerald Rooker; brother-in-law, Gerald Gehl and sister-in-law, Jane Rooker.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Purebred Arabian Trust, c/o Robert Fauls, 9714 Niblick Lane, Naples, FL 34108; the Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund, c/o Mary Trowbridge, 236 Henry Sanford Rd., Bridgewater, CT 06752; or the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, Clinic Pet Memorial Program, Development and Alumni Relations at https://cvm.msu.edu/friends-alumni/memorial-gifts-and-gifts-in-honor.
Please share your thoughts with the family at www.allenfuneralhomeinc.com
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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4/21/2022 |
| Time: |
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12:00 PM |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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4/21/2022 |
| Time: |
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1:00 PM |
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| Location: |
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Allen Funeral Home
9136 Davison Rd
Davison, MI 48423Get a Map to this location...
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| Official: |
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Rev. Dr. Joseph Novak |
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