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Long-time Santa Clarita Valley resident, James "Jay" Rodgers, died June 26 at the age of 86.
James "Jay" Rodgers

Long-time Santa Clarita Resident And Community Supporter Dies At 86

Long-time Santa Clarita Valley resident, James “Jay” Rodgers, died June 26 at the age of 86.


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Rodgers was born November 5, 1928 to Charles and Murtle Rodgers of Omaha, Nebraska. He moved to California (with his parents) in the late 30’s eventually attending Los Angeles High School.

During the early part of his professional career Rodgers began building tract homes in the San Fernando Valley, according to Rodgers children. After recognizing the need for similar housing in the Santa Clarita Valley, Rodgers began buying land starting with 1000 acres in and around Plum Canyon.

During the course of their marriage Rodgers and his wife Joyce, sold an excess of 5,000 homes in the Santa Clarita Valley.

In 2003, both Jay and Joyce were recipients of College of the Canyons Silver Spur award and aside from home building have made many contributions to the Santa Clarita Valley.

Rodgers was involved with various charities. He had a great interest in the success and advancement of the Boys and Girls Club, according to Rodgers children.

They donated to assist in the construction of the College of the Canyons Library which bears their name and also endowed a scholarship to the college.

Jay and Joyce also made great contributions to the Senior Center by helping with fundraising.

Rodgers was also a big sports fan. He held season tickets for both the LA Dodgers and UCLA football, and according to his daughter Lisa, would not leave a game until it was over, even if his team was losing by four touchdowns or several runs.

Rodgers was a father to four children, two from his first marriage and two from his second. Rodgers also had seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Rodgers never officially retired and continued to work until he was hospitalized three weeks before he lost his battle to lung cancer, according to Rodgers children.

His funeral service is planned for Thursday, July 09, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Eternal Valley Memorial Park Mortuary, 23287 N. Sierra Highway, Newhall, California 91321.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Jay Rodger who has been active in the community and a successful developer for the last 45 years,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.

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KHTS AM 1220 - Santa Clarita Radio - Santa Clarita news

Long-time Santa Clarita Resident And Community Supporter Dies At 86

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About Enzo Marino

Enzo became a staff writer at KHTS AM-1220 in June 2015. He is working towards his Associates Degree in New Media Journalism at College of the Canyons where he is currently involved with Cougar News, the on-campus student and community news outlet. Enzo’s passion for news started when he was an intern at KNBC-4 in Burbank