Elder. Robert January

Elder Robert James January aka Rj crossed into the Kingdom of Heaven December 10, 2021. He was born November 14, 1957 and departed this Earth December 10, 2021. He was the first born and only son of the late Robert and Luedella January. His only sister preceded him in death.

From early in his youth, he showed many talents. This included baseball, football, bodybuilding, acting and loved helping his father build cars. His love for buying cars sent him in his adult life to receive his Masters in Scientific and Engineering. However, his greatest love for Christ was discovered by the Late Bishop Moody who sent him to Bible Moody Institute where he received his bachelor's in divinity.

Robert James January became an Elder in the Church of God in Christ and preached all over the world and evangelist till the day he died. He once told me that he had a church of no walls. He was extremely disciplined and besides preaching he worked for the CTA for over 20 years as a Master Mechanic. This is where he built and repaired many CTA buses and trains. He was also very blessed and hardworking that he took care of his late wife Terri January, and his 5 kids Steven Jennings, Lacey, Gabrielle, Sarah and Emmanuel January.

He was so talented that every year the CTA had him build and design the CTA Christmas Bus and Train. He did this until a few years ago until the CTA changed the law amongst the workers and bus from saying Merry Christmas to Happy Holidays. He informed CTA management "If you're removing my Christ from Christmas to Happy Holidays go and find someone else to build and design your Christmas bus".

His further achievements at the CTA went from his evangelization in bringing many souls to Christ, helping bis fellow coworkers and budding relationships with using humor with a large mix of his coworkers. Robert was known between friends, family and strangers as a funny guy; he had a very mellow personality and only had beautiful things to say.

He suffered a very hard set back when his late wife Terri January died in 2006 but said he regained his happiness and a reason to live when he remarried Alicia Rodriguez five years later on April 20, 2010. Robert and Alicia lived a full life· This is where they shared love and many moments with his new inherited family. They traveled, bodybuilding together, evangelized and built a loving adventurous Godly 12 years of life together. He was so happy in his life that he fought his terminal illness to his last breath.

Robert James January was a great and charismatic humanitarian who would financially or physically help homeless, widows, strangers, a fellow co-worker, family, friends or anyone who crossed him in need. He IS such a loss in this world where he had so much to teach and so much love to give. He will so truly be missed by his wife Alicia Rodriguez, his children, his inherited family, grandchildren, CTA coworkers, friends and, all those that were blessed to cross his path and encounter his wise, and charismatic personality.

He IS survived by his wife Alicia Rodriguez, his son Robert January III, Julian January, Steven Paine Jennings, Lacey January, Gabrielle January, Sarah January and Emmanuel January.  Please keep the family in your prayers.

Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette

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