April 28, 1949 – July 30, 2013

John Marshall Rodgers’ battle with cancer mercifully ended on July 30 at the age of 64. He was surrounded by loved ones. John, JR, Johnny, Knarls, Dad, Papa … all of these names represent a cherished part of his life to the people now struggling to understand why he was taken from them.

John was born April 28, 1949. “He never walked, he ran,” recalls his mother Norene. John was a lifelong resident of the Crescenta-Cañada Valley, attending La Cañada High School.

John was a family man, a plumbing contractor and an outdoorsman. John was a third generation plumber and owner of R.R. “Pat” Harris Plumbing, Inc. one of the longest running family businesses in the Crescenta-Cañada Valley. This was a legacy that John was very proud of.

John’s insistence on quality and pride in one’s work has left its touch on the Crescenta-Cañada Valley in the form of his craftsmanship and his support of the community.

“If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right” is a testament to his approach to work and life. Everything about him will be sorely missed, but we are all lucky to have had him in our lives.

All who worked with John knew him as a hard worker who played equally hard. John’s love of fishing, building and flying model planes and gliders, hunting, shooting, camping and just being outdoors allowed him to touch and unite so many people as he enjoyed these passions. John held a special place in his heart for the Eastern Sierra and he shared his love and knowledge of its adventures with his family and friends. The Owens River will miss his stewardship for the land and we’ll all miss John’s silhouette against the setting sun, rod in hand, casting his fly.

John is survived by his strong and loving bride of 34 years, Lynne, his mom Norene, his sister Donna Tripp, his brothers Tom and Steven Rodgers, his children, Heather Fleming and Sean Rodgers, son-in-law Matt Fleming, and his grandsons Hudson, Merrick and Dominic Fleming. He was preceded in death by his dad Hueit “Rod” Rodgers, Jr.

In honor of John Rodgers, please consider a donation to Friends of the Inyo or the American Cancer Society. Let’s find a cure!