James Michael Rothbauer of Haw River, NC passed away at Alamance Regional Hospital on December 25, 2017. He was 68 years old.
Surviving are his wife of 31 years, Elaine Grose Rothbauer, daughter, Kendall Rothbauer and son, Lucas Rothbauer, of the home; five siblings, Daniel Rothbauer (Lori) of Elkhart, IN; Mary Moore (Chuck) of Pelican Lake, WI; Patricia Fittshur (Bob) of Hartland, WI; Louise Whipp (Mark) of Poland, WI; John Rothbauer (Lynn) of Green Bay, WI; mother-in-law Janette Grose of Mebane, NC; sister-in-law Carol Grose of Mebane, NC; brother-in-law Douglas Grose (Barbara) of Ridgefield, CT; and numerous, special nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Rothbauer and Katherine Graham Rothbauer of Chicago, IL; his stepmother, Gloria Rothbauer of Elkhart, IN; and his father-in-law Calvin Grose of Chapel Hill, NC.
Born in Evanston, Illinois, Jim was raised in Chicago’s Rogers Park where he earned the nickname “Rocky.” He attended St. Margaret Mary Elementary School, Loyola Academy, and Loyola University in Chicago, IL and was a member of Pi Alpha Lambda. In 1970, he joined the Marine Reserves. After his service, he moved to Denver, CO and then to Greeley, CO where he started, co-owned and operated Optimum Art Glass which manufactured stained glass sheets from recycled bottles. Jim was a gifted stained glass artist and during his lifetime was commissioned to do church windows, Tiffany lamps, and original artwork for private homes and businesses in NC and beyond.
Jim will be remembered for his strong faith in God and country, his steadfast love for his family and friends, and for being the type of person that would give the shirt off his back if you needed it. His smile, witty sense of humor, love of history, and his fellow man will be greatly missed.
A memorial mass is being planned at a future date at St. Margaret Mary Church in Rogers Park, IL and Nativity Church in Green Bay, WI. A Celebration of Life will be held in Wisconsin later in the year.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rottweiler Hearts Rescue, 404 Loblolly Circle, Clayton, NC 27520. Donations will honor Jim’s first dog, Susie, and the more than 40 rescue dogs that were fostered and loved by him.
Please sign an online register book at www.omegafsc.com. Omega Funeral Service and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.
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