Rodney Anderson

Rodney Dale Anderson, 59, successfully completed his earthly career and began his heavenly endeavor on Friday, January 22, 2016 at his home in Des Moines, Iowa. He was born on December 10, 1956 in Butler, Missouri to Frank and Doris Patterson Anderson. He was a caring son, loving husband, nurturing father, and a friend to all. He moved to Paola, Kansas in 1959 and attended Paola schools graduating in 1975. He played baseball, football, basketball, and tennis and umpired baseball games in the summer. After graduation, he enrolled in the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. He graduated in 1979 earning a Bachelor"s Degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas. He was a member of the Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity. Even before he had his diploma, he went to work for the Junction City (Kansas) Daily Union as a sports editor. He was recruited to work for his hometown newspaper, The Miami County Republic. He worked there from 1980 to 1984. In 1983 Rodney married Naomi Harris and in 1988 they became the parents of a son, Kyle Austin Anderson, Los Angeles, California. Rodney left the Paola newspaper in January 1984 to become editor of the St. John (Kansas) News. He worked for that newspaper until fall of 1989, when he transferred to the Pratt (Kansas) Tribune. He worked in Pratt until leaving journalism to work for Williams Co. in 1990. He was a recipient of the Williams Community Service Award awarded for demonstrating exemplary volunteer service to their communities in 2001. He was the producer and host of a monthly radio show "Information Please." It featured news and information for Iowans who are blind or otherwise unable to read a newspaper. He was also the area community relations coordinator for Williams. He worked for Williams Co., now Magellan for 22 years. Rodney was an avid sports fan; enjoying Royals baseball, Chiefs football, and ALL K.U. sports. He loved to take trips, especially by airplane. He attended Grace Baptist Church in Des Moines, Iowa along with his wife of 32 years who was an active member of Grace Baptist Church. He is survived by his parents, wife, son and other relatives. He will be sorely missed and yet never forgotten. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Paola, KS or Grace Baptist Church, Des Moines, IA. Funeral service is pending and will be available later. To share a memory of Rodney leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the "Share Memories" tab above. First Baptist Church Wea St. Paola Service: Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 10:30 AM Visitation: Saturday, January 30, 2016 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM