Rodney E. James

Rodney James — Full Throttle, Full Heart

Rodney James, age 26, passed away on August 5, 2026. Born on April 17, 2000, Rodney brought immeasurable warmth, energy, and joy into the lives of everyone who knew him.

Some people go through life in the passenger seat — Rodney was always behind the wheel. From the go-cart his grandfather found him at the family farm to his beloved 1988 navy blue Fiero, Rodney’s love of cars was woven into everything he was. He understood them, worked on them, and loved them the way he loved everything — completely and without reservation. He had an eye for things with history and soul — whether it was his Fiero or a Buick he refused to give up on, Rodney appreciated the beauty and character in things from another time and saw value where others didn’t look twice.

Rodney’s passion for cars connected him with people everywhere he went. He was a familiar and beloved face at car shows, including the annual Ice Cream Cruise — an event that brought together the kind of community Rodney naturally gravitated toward. His enthusiasm was contagious and his love of the culture ran deep.

Rodney graduated from Millard West High School in 2018 and went on to build a career at TCC/Verizon where he connected people to the things that mattered most — much like he did in every relationship in his life.

But as focused as he was on his passions, his family was always his anchor. His love for his mom was unquestioned and unwavering. He held his circle tight, cared fiercely, and stayed true to himself to the very end. Some of his best memories were made at his grandparents’ farm — riding 4-wheelers, the Gator, and doing cookies in the driveway — a boy who always knew exactly where home was.

Rodney had a special place in his heart for animals, especially his beloved dogs. He carried the memory of Jersey and Nina, who passed before him, with him always — their love remaining a cherished part of his life.

Rodney was fiercely loyal. He showed up for the people he cared about, no questions asked. He lived with conviction, loved deeply, and left a mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Rodney is survived by his mother Amy Sherwood and stepfather Owen Grimm of Omaha; his maternal grandparents Chuck and Kathy Sherwood; his uncle Jim Sherwood, his cousins Samantha and her husband Daniel Barkley and their children Cameron and Delaney; his aunt Kristin and uncle Cal Herum, their daughter Kara Mayer and her son Weston; his uncle Charlie and aunt Barbie Sherwood and their children Taylor and Kashton; his stepsiblings Dakota Grimm and his wife Fiorella, Shyenne Grimm and Chloe Grimm; his many beloved cousins who shared countless memories at the family farm; his father Rodney James Sr. and three half sisters; his paternal grandmother Juanita James; his aunt Lori Bryant and her husband Roosevelt Bryant; and a wide community of friends, fellow car enthusiasts and all who were fortunate enough to cross his path.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents Nolan and Joyce Harrison and his grandmother MaryAnn Foster.

“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day.

Unseen, unheard, but always near, so loved, so missed, so very dear.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials given to the family will be used in Rodney's memory at a later date.

CELEBRATION OF RODNEY’S LIFE: Friday, August 14, 2026 at 2:00pm, with VISITATION one hour prior to the service, all at Braman Mortuary (Millard Chapel)

Braman Mortuary & Cremation Services (6505 S. 144 St. Omaha, NE 68137 / 402-895-3400)