James Ralph Roorda

James (Jim) Roorda, 82, left this world peacefully on March 26, 2025 in Land O’ Lakes, FL. Jim was a charismatic, humorous, adventurous and intelligent man who lived his life to full capacity.

Jim was born in Denver, CO in 1943 to parents James R. Roorda and Jeannette (Camping) Roorda. Jim graduated from South Denver High School in 1961. He attended Colorado State College in Greeley prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army, and completed his military service as an Operating Room Specialist at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, CO. He completed his formal education during his midlife, earning his B.A. in 1992 and his M.A. in 1994, and continued study toward a PhD in Gerontology at the University of South Florida in Sarasota, FL.

Jim and his beloved canine Rommel retired from the San Jose (CA) Police Department in 1977 due to a service-related disability. In 1983 Jim set sail from San Leandro, CA aboard his new home, his 37-ft. sailboat aptly named “My Way”. For nearly a decade he cruised the waters of Mexico and Central America, making acquaintances and memories along the way. One notable day Jim observed a “tall ship” on the horizon. He watched as the vessel approached, and was thrilled to speak via radio with Captain of the “Juan Sebastian Elcano, the Spanish Navy training vessel.

Jim sailed his way back to the U.S. and docked for a stay on Clear Lake, Houston, TX, before a final docking in Sarasota, FL. There in l994 he met and married his sweetheart, Janet (Jan). Together they pursued new adventure and exploration that included: Living in Reno and teaching at the University of NV; owning and operating a log cabin saloon in Pollock Pines, CA; owning and operating an alpaca farm in Mt. Pleasant, TN; moving to their retirement dream home in Bradenton, FL in 2016.

Jim enjoyed gourmet cooking; spoke fluent Spanish; was an English grammar and punctuation aficionado; told intriguing and colorful stories of his adventures; artfully delivered hilarious jokes.

Jim is survived by his sister Joan (Myron) Chicota of Littleton, CO; son John (Kim) Roorda of San Luis Obispo, CA; grandson Zachary Roorda of San Luis Obispo, CA; granddaughter Eden Roorda of Brooklyn, NY; and numerous friends and extended family.

Jim is predeceased by his wife of 22 years, Janet Roorda, and two sisters, Janice Pennyweight and Jennifer Henry.