James (Jim) Rodriguez born September 2, 1931 and entered into eternal rest on October 30, 2021. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Mary (Cesario) Rodriguez. Jim was the husband of Dodi, and they enjoyed nearly 63 years of marriage prior to her passing last year. He was the father of Michael (Tracy), Mark (Jackie), David (Cyndie), and Bob (Ann). Grandfather of Megan Kerr (Andy), Rachel Hahn (Jay), Alex (Jessica), Jim (Eliza), John (Meredith), Tom, Catie, Raquel, Mario, Emily Mesteller (Mike), Nick, and Sarah. Great Grandfather of Wesley James Hahn, Uncle and Great Uncle to several. He and Dodi enjoyed spending time with Jim’s brother Angelo and wife Mickey and their families. They also enjoyed supporting their children and grandchildren in all of their endeavors and they could often be found cheering at a local field. He and Dodi were members of the Macedonia United Methodist Church. Jim was a graduate of Cleveland East Tech (1949), Baldwin-Wallace College (1953), Kent State University, and he was a U.S. Army veteran. Jim enjoyed a lifetime of athletic participation. As a decorated athlete he was the leading scorer in basketball for Greater Cleveland while at East Tech, and he was selected as the Male Scholar Athlete of the year at BW in 1953. He tried out with the Detroit Tigers. He primarily played and coached basketball and baseball, but he held a strong appreciation and knowledge of all sports. Jim is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fames for East Tech, Nordonia HS, Baldwin Wallace University, and Cleveland State University. Jim spent part of his childhood in the coal mining town of Dillonvale, Ohio where some relatives still live. His family moved back to Pershing Avenue in the Slavic Village area, and he remained in the Greater Cleveland area for the rest of his life. He and Dodi lived in their Sagamore Hills “Rodhaven” home since 1960. His first job was as a history teacher at Solon High School. He later served as the Head Baseball and Basketball coach at Fenn College and Cleveland State University. He started at Fenn in 1959 and remained at Cleveland State as the Associate Athletic Director until his retirement in 1994. Jim and Dodi liked to go camping with their young family, and often found a local baseball game to watch. Jim served as a Deacon in the Northfield Presbyterian Church. He was very involved in the Nordonia Hills community, having served as the President of the Nordonia High School Athletic Booster Club and the Nordonia Hills Athletic Association (NHAA). He was actually the Vice President of the Cleveland Cavaliers Booster Club when the team was first starting. He also ran a very popular Men’s softball tournament for several years, and he helped run a popular baseball camp for many years. Jim was able to lead these organizations to raise funding to create facilities that were used by hundreds of community members for decades. He was a great storyteller, and some of his best stories included his time with top level athletes and coaches like Tito Francona, Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch, Coach John McClendon, Jim Tressel, and others. Jim’s gracious way, warm heart, and generosity has made, and continues to make, a positive difference in the lives of many people that he has worked with and coached. He built his own baseball field and basketball facilities at his Rodhaven home and he and Dodi hosted many teams and individuals at their home over the years. Jim will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, teacher, coach, and friend.
Friends may call at THE FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME, 356 WEST AURORA RD. (OH RT 82), SAGAMORE HILLS FOR VISITATION ON FRIDAY FROM 4-8 P.M. Funeral services will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment All Saints Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to The James Rodriguez ’53 Baseball Program Endowment Fund at Baldwin Wallace University, Center for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, 275 Eastland Road, Berea, Ohio 44017. The fund supports BW’s Baseball Program. Donations may also be made online at www.bw.edu/giving. Note “The Rodriguez Baseball Fund” on checks and the website.
