Rodney Dee Jones

Rodney Dee Jones

1944 – 2023

Beloved brother, husband, father, and grandfather.  He is survived by his wife, Linda, and his two grandchildren, Madeline and Jude.  Rod dedicated more than 30 years to Westside Community Schools as an elementary teacher and principal.

SERVICE: Saturday, December 30^th at 11am at Lutheran Church of the Master, 1200 N. 181^st Ct. in Elkhorn. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Kiwanis of West Omaha.  To view a live broadcast of the Service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the page.

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Rodney Dee Jones was born to LeoNina Buss and Lavern Jones on September 5, 1944 in Norfolk, Nebraska. He was the oldest of three children, followed by his brother Marvern and sister Ruthie. Growing up, Rod spent his early years helping on the family farm and attending a one room schoolhouse in Randolph, Nebraska.  Rod attended Randolph High School and graduated in 1962. He understood the importance of higher education and went on to earn his Associate of Arts Degree from Norfolk Junior College. Rod then earned his BA and Masters degrees in elementary education from Wayne State College. His administrative endorsement was later granted by the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Rod’s teaching career began at G. Stanley Hall Elementary in Papillion, NE in 1964. This is where he met his wife Linda in January of 1967. They were married the following summer in June of 1969. In 1971, they moved to District 66 where Rod taught at Swanson Elementary. One year later, he joined Oakdale Elementary as a 5th & 6th grade team leader and teacher for 17 years. Through the early ’90s Rod was appointed the Teacher Leadership position at Prairie Lane Elementary and in the fall of 1995 gained the position of Principal at Loveland Elementary.  This administrative position carried Rod until his “retirement” in 2000.

Rod continued to give back to his community after teaching. He was a proud member of Kiwanis and a mentor in District 66. In his volunteering endeavors, Rod was recognized through numerous awards for his selfless and innovative work to serve others. Above all, Rod devoted his life to his family. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. His marriage to Linda lasted 54 years in which they adopted their only son, Garrett. Rod spent his free moments traveling, golfing, hunting, and fishing with his family and close friends. Rod enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren, Madeline and Jude.

Rod passed peacefully on December 21, 2023 surrounded by his immediate family. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Marvern; and son, Garrett. Rod is survived by his wife, Linda; sister, Ruthie; and two grandchildren, Madeline (23) and Jude (10).