April 15, 2011, Rodney Michael Neff, 61, died at Kansas City Veteran’s Hospital.  Diagnosed with lung cancer in February of 2008, chemotherapy and radiation slowed the progression of the disease and with great strength and determination; he lived three times as long as expected.
      Rodney enlisted in the United States Navy in 1967 and served two active duty tours in Vietnam and around the world.  Rod was a boilermaker and welder.  He later became a building inspector on many major jobs.  One could write volumes on this unique and fun loving man who seemed larger than life.
      Rodney was somewhat like the homing pigeons he and his brother Ricky raised growing up in Haysville, KS. He lived in California for 20 years, but he always came back to Missouri during mushroom season to visit his friends and family – he always came back home.
      Working overseas in Guam and South Korea gave Rodney an opportunity to do what he truly loved and that was to travel.  The Mayan Ruins in Guatemala held a special fascination for Rod as he had fun on his travels observing culture and religions of the countries he traveled to.  Rod no doubt inherited this adventurous streak from his aunt Linda Lou whom he loved dearly.
      He had a passion for BMW motorcycles.  Rod estimated that he had to have ridden half a million miles.  The power and precision of these machines are what he loved. 
      He learned his work ethic from his parents Francis and Marion Neff.  Farming, running a dairy and working at their Humphreys grocery store kept him busy growing up.  He learned that when you have a job to do – you do it and get the job done right. (often to others’ annoyance)
      Rod had such a brilliant, inquisitive mind and was interested in a wide range of subjects such as how the universe was formed to the study of birds.  Rod lived life like few people do, every day was lived to its fullest, and he enjoyed all of the richness and beauty of the world around him.  Two people will have the gift of sight due to Rod’s donation of his eyes.
      Thirty two years ago Rod and Doris met and fell in love.  They kept in touch through the years, but both had moved onto separate lives and time zones that were never in sync with one another.  May 19, 2010 they were married.  They did not have as many days as they had wished for, but knew that every hour of the last 16 months were a gift and were so thankful for the blessings they were able to share.  Doris was at his side when he passed, considering it a great honor to have been with him.
      Survivors are his wife Doris and his beloved dog, Bucko, of the home, mother Marion, brothers, Rick Neff and his wife Abby and Dale Cranford, aunts Linda Lou Minich and Patricia and her husband Tom Brockwell, sister-in-laws Brenda DeBuhr, Janet Woods and Linda her husband Coburn Snyder.
      A special thanks goes from the family to Jim Bowe, Rodney’s lifelong friend who was always available for anything needed.
      Preceding him in death ins his father Francis, brother David, sister Rebecca and her husband Bobby Allnutt, grandparents Maude and Fay Neff, Ethyl Woods and Vail Sibbit. 
      A celebration of Rod’s life will be held Thursday April 21, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. at the Christian Church at Humphreys.  It is a time to remember and celebrate Rod’s life, a life full of good times and laughter.  Memorials may be made to the Green Hills Animal Shelter or the American Cancer Society.

 

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