James J Rocha
August 7,1947 – June 18,2022

James “Jim” Rocha died at his home in Fortuna on June 18, 2022 surrounded by his family. At that moment we lost a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, neighbor and friend.

Jim was born on August 7, 1947 at the old Scotia Hospital to Joe and Velma Rocha of Ferndale.

He started grammer school at Grant Union School, then transferred to the Assumption School where he graduated. He attended Ferndale High School, graduated the class of “65”. He played sports, but loved basketball the most. He was also a member of the FFA. After graduation, he had his own dairy. In 1973 he went to work for Pacific Lumber Co. in Scotia. After 23 years he retired due to health issues. He went to work for Gary Crivello’s Cars in 1996, where he had a lot of friends old and new. There were many parties at the car lot, Xmas, rodeo, autorama, always enjoying the people, good food and conversations. He retired from the car lot in 2009 because of health issues after a six-week stay in the hospital.

Jim always was the person you could count on to pick you up at school, needed a ride to practice, change your flat tire or pull you out of the river bar because you were stuck. He helped the girls softball teams, practicing, cooking burgers or just cleaning up. He helped the grandkids with their FFA animals get ready for the fair. He always supported the grandkids in the sport they played.

He enjoyed crabbing, surf fishing and catching bass at Trinity Lake and Ruth. He really found his love for fishing when his neighbor Bud Roby took him fishing in the ocean. Next thing he had to have a new fishing boat. He loved taking his buddies Bill, Bruce, John and Sandy to the Cape to get bottom fish or when the salmon were running. One of his most memorable was a 120-pound marlin he caught while vacationing in Cabo, Mexico.

He was a good carpenter, building a lot of things, crafts, potting benches and even a sofa with orange cushions. He enjoyed vegetable gardening and couldn’t wait to start the garden so he could share with family and neighbors. When his health started to get the best of him, he would still walk or use his scooter around the neighborhood. He always had his dog Missy by his side. They walked many miles together.

Jim is survived by Linda, his wife of 48-1/2 years; his daughter Kimberly Smyth (Cliff), son Ken Rocha (Angie), Sandy Schleef (Tami), Tammy Reynolds (John); nine grandchildren — Tamara, Scott, Tiara, Tierney, Maddy, Haylee, Cameron, Brandi, Caylin — and eight great grandchildren; his sister Joann Carey, brother Chris Rocha (Carol), numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Preceded in death his parents Joe and Velma Rocha, grandparents Joe and Balbina Rocha, John and Frances Silva, brother Larry Rocha, brother-in-law Kevin Carey, numerous aunts and uncles and one great-grandchild, Tregyn Siemiller.

At his request there will not be a funeral service. The family would like to thank Dr. Dittmer and Hospice for their caring and all their help to get Jim home from the hospital so he could be with his family.

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The obituary above was submitted by James Rocha’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.