James Paul "Jim" Roodzant

James "Jim" Roodzant was born on December 22, 1971, in Bellflower, California, and grew up surrounded by family, faith, and friendship. After spending his childhood in California and Oregon, he built lifelong friendships that shaped his journey. In 1990, Jim joined the U.S. Navy as a hospital corpsman, where he formed deep bonds of brotherhood. During that time, he met Tawnya, the love of his life, and they were married in 1994.
Following his service, Jim earned his bachelor's degree at Oregon State University and then went on to earn his doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Wisconsin. Jim and Tawnya settled with their family in DeMotte, Indiana, in 2003, where he worked as a staff veterinarian on several dairies for over 20 years.
Jim made everyone feel like a friend. His wisdom came wrapped in warmth and laughter, and his easy smile could fill a room. He was a devoted husband and father who led his family with quiet strength, steadfast love, and a sense of humor that often ended with him being "right"-and everyone knowing it. Jim was generous with his time, his home, and his table. He loved to cook and welcome others in, making sure no one left hungry and everyone left feeling cared for.
Above all, Jim was a faithful believer in Jesus Christ. He lived out his faith through kindness, integrity, and service, finding his hope not in circumstance but in the finished work of Christ's death and resurrection. During his three-year battle with cancer, that hope only deepened. He drew strength from the promises of Scripture and from the truth he cherished in the words of the Heidelberg Catechism, Question and Answer 1: that his only comfort in life and in death was that he belonged, body and soul, to his faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jim is lovingly remembered by his wife of 31 years, Tawnya (Viss), and their children Sam (Aubrey), Jake (Chelsea), Matt, Molly, and Brady. His joy multiplied with the arrival of his first grandson, Gideon, born to Jake and Chelsea on December 22, 2024 - Jim's own birthday.
He is the cherished son of Phil and Patty Roodzant, brother to Pam Uffelman, uncle to Sarah, Jenna, and Emma, and loved by many aunts, uncles, and cousins. When Jim married Tawnya, he also gained a large and loving extended family who immediately welcomed him as one of their own. He is especially loved by his parents-in-law, Rich and Shy Boersma.
Jim's circle of love extended far beyond his home. His dairy family - the Bos, Schakel, and Herrema families - became like parents and brothers to him, sharing in the work, faith, and friendship that shaped so much of his life.
Early on October 7, 2025 Jim left his earthly home surrounded by family and entered into his eternal home with Jesus. He was freed from all his suffering and has been made complete and whole, lacking nothing.
The best way you can honor Jim's life is to get to know the hope he had in Christ. If you don't already have a home church, he would want you to find one and to attend regularly. Live with the same kindness, faith, and joy that marked Jim's life-love your family deeply, cherish your friends, and walk closely with God.
Jim's legacy is one of steadfast faith, gratitude, and genuine love. Though he is no longer with us, his life continues to point others to the One who gave him peace and strength through every season-his Savior, Jesus Christ.
Family and friends are invited to come and visit with the family at Jim's Visitation on Friday, October 10 from 4:00-7:00pm at First Church in Wheatfield. A funeral service to honor Jim will be Saturday, October 11 at 10:00am at First Church in Wheatfield.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Breakaway Dinner Ministry at Community Church in Roselawn.