Rodney Linn Evans, 60 of Glenwood, Iowa entered the gates of Heaven Tuesday, March 18, 2014.
Rod was born June 30, 1953 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Bernard and Judy Evans. As a child, Rod enjoyed many things. Most of these things included sports or hanging out with his lifelong friend, Tim Chase. Rod graduated in 1971 from Glenwood Community High School where he was an avid athlete. He participated in many sports including football, track and field and wrestling. Rod had a special passion for wrestling with a record of 32-0, which led him to become Glenwood’s first State Wrestling Champ in 1971. Rodney became very well known as “The Ram King”.
Upon graduation, Rod continued with his hard work and determination. His passion for sports continued. He spent a lot of his time on the softball field or in the bowling alley. June 30, 1973, Rodney met the love of his life. Rodney Evans and Cheryl Thomas were married on May 22, 1976. Shortly after that they welcomed their three daughters Amy, Dusty and Mandy.
Prior to joining Jesus, Rodney enjoyed spending quality time with his wife, daughters, son-in-laws and grandchildren. He coached his grandson at wrestling, taught his grandchildren how to hold a bat and field a ball, and spent quality time on the bleachers just enjoying the hard work and dedication he instilled in his grandchildren. They also took many family trips to softball tournaments in Branson, Okoboji and enjoyed an Alaskan cruise with his wife.
Rodney accepted Jesus into his life. He spent many hours at church getting to know Jesus. He was an usher, friend and teammate through Bellevue Christian Center. He attended retreats and played on the church softball team. He joined the Senior Softball team and played with many of his friends prior to his passing. Many of his teammates became close friends, close enough to be considered family in Rod’s eyes.
Rodney is survived by his wife, Cheryl Thomas Evans of Glenwood, IA; daughters, Amy and husband Bill Tattersall and their two children, Samual and Grace of Bellevue, NE; Dusty Williams and her four children, Maiah, Aspyn, Liberty and Easton of Glenwood, IA; Mandy & husband Thomas Focken and their four children, Lynae, Maxwell, Christian & Bradley of Council Bluffs, IA; parents, Bernie & Judy Evans of Glenwood, IA; sister, Cindy Becker of Omaha, NE; brother, Kelly Evans of Bellevue, NE: lifelong friend, Tim & wife Gail Chase of Glenwood, IA; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
A memorial fund has been set up in Rod’s honor at Great Western Bank.
There will be a luncheon served following the funeral service.
The interment will be private.
Visitation:Saturday, March 22, 2014
9:00 AM
1400 Harvell Dr.
Bellevue, NE68005
Service:Saturday, March 22, 2014
11:00 AM
1400 Harvell Dr.
Bellevue, NE68005
16 Condolences
I’m sorry for your loss words can’t express my deepest sympathies to your family. He and your mother had some of the grandkids in the park and your father was as kind to my children as he was to his own grandchildren. Although, I only met your father once, he will be truly missed as a man with such kind character and grace.
So sorry for your loss. Rod was a great classmate and athlete. He always had a smile on his face. Prayers and love to his family. He is an Angel in the outfield now.
The players and family members of Nebraska Senior Softball join with you, Cheryl and family, in mourning a great man. However, we celebrate his life and the ability to have had the honor of playing ball and socializing with a guy of Rod’s caliber. A competitive man on the field who was loved by his teammates and a gentle soul off the diamond. We will remember Rod in 2014 and honor his contributions for many years to follow.
Our hearts are heavy this week to hear of Rod’s passing. However, we will be lifted in our memories of a great ballplayer and one super nice guy. A terrific player on the fields and an even better person off of them. We hope you will be able to feel the love and honor and respect that will come from so many in the days and weeks to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
My daddy is the greatest man I have ever know. He was rough on the outside but so loving. When ever I was in trouble he would just wrap his arms around me and tell me it would be just fine. I have no regrets this past year. I played ball with my daddy and sat by his bed till he entered Heaven. I can’t wait to get my next hug in Heaven. I love you daddy!!!
I came to know Rod as a team mate in the Senior Softball league. He was a leader on and off the field. As one of the top players in the league, his abilities on the field were surpassed only by his faith and friendship off the field. Playing ball this year will not be the same without Rod. But his spirit will be held high and he memory will inspire all of us to be better team mates and people.
It was a honor to know Rod. The exemplary life he lived is evident in his legacy. He will be missed by all. I know he will be waiting for us all preparing for that ball game in the sky. Lol My thoughts and prayers are with your family. The Word says blessed are those that mourn for they shall be comforted. God will wrap His arms around you and will give you peace and healing.
We have all lost a wonderful human being with Rod’s passing. I don’t have the words to describe the respect I have and the honor it has been, to be a teamate with Rod in Senior Softball and an adversary for all those years in the Council Bluffs summer leagues long ago.Rod was/is a true warrior in every sense. God will surely make him a leader in his new home.
So sorry for your loss, my prayers go out to family and friend’s may you R.I P. Rod.
Glowing up together, playing sports together, hanging out together has been some great times. We grew apart having our own families but Rod has never been or will he ever be forgotten. I am deeply sorry to hear of his loss.
Our deepest sympathy to you all. Take comfort in the assurance that Rod is now in the presence of Jesus Christ. We pray that God will be with you during this time of grieving. We wish we could be there.
1 Corinthians 15:50 – 55
Dear Cheryl and Family,
I recall the time I first met Rod at Peterson Field ten years ago when he joined our Nebraska Senior Softball League and later attended several of our NSS Praise/Prayer Fellowship meetings.
As Rod and I became better acquainted, I learned to know him as a very special friend who loved the Lord with all his heart, mind and soul and we will all certainly miss him.
His ability and special skills on the ball field and at the plate were evident and admired by all of us as he was one of the best and most respected players in our league.
Romans 8:38 tells us, “For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor power, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” 1 Thessalonians 2:16.
We praise God for bringing Rod and you into our lives and now send our everlasting love and prayers to you and your family. We are in Florida at this time and regretfully unable to participate this morning in the celebration of Rod’s life.
Dave and Jill Banghart
I miss you Daddy!! Love you bunches!!
I miss you so much daddy! I love you and I am taking care of mom. She misses you like crazy. I wish you were here but I know you are in a better place. I know that we will see each other again and I am holding on to that. I love you daddy!
Man I miss you today!!! Love you
I miss you Dad!!! Love you 🥰
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