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Rodney Hundley Obituary
Rodney Clark Hundley, a true basketball legend, died March 27, 2015, surrounded by his daughters in Phoenix at Hospice of the Valley. "Hot Rod" was known for a lot of things - his rise from abandonment and poverty to success and fame, his flashy style of play at West Virginia University that earned him his nickname, garnering the top spot in the NBA's 1957 draft, a respectable run with the Los Angeles Lakers, his gravelly call-it-like-I see-it commentary with the Lakers, Phoenix Suns and New Orleans and Utah Jazz, and an indomitable zest for life that colored every moment of his time on this earth. It's hard to top the words that beloved family friend and sportscaster Jim Nantz sent the Hundley girls last week, so here they are: "What an amazing journey it has been for Hot Rod. The kid from West Virginia to a basketball superstar to a broadcasting legend to a dad who was more proud of his girls than anything in his life. He made a lot of people happy, brought a lot of laughter and energy and life to all of us who were so fortunate to pass his way." A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at Moon Valley Country Club, 151 W. Moon Valley Drive, Phoenix. Rod was 80 when he passed, and he is survived by his daughters Kimberly Hundley of Phoenix, Jacqueline Hundley of Los Angeles, and Jennifer Hundley of Phoenix; his son-in-law, David Larchez of Phoenix; and his grandsons, Tanner Hundley and Rodney Cole of Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hot Rod Hundley's Walk to End Alzheimer's page: act.alz.org/goto/HotRodHundley. Please visit www.hansenmortuary.com to place online condolences.
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Memories and Condolences
for Rodney Hundley
Coach Luther
March 27, 2025
Hot Rod......We all miss you! My daughter, Robyn joined you in Heaven in 2023. We all know you are both in a wonderful place!
Keep watching March Madness!
Miss You .....RIP
coach
Coach Luther
March 27, 2024
Hot Rod - You are Missed! ~RIP~ Someday I hope to meet you!
..................coach
Coach Luther
March 27, 2023
Hot Rod has been missed dearly! 8 years ago I lost a person who instilled in me so much! Because of him I am still coaching (56th years) and I named my son (Rod Luther) after this great man! Never forgotten - ~RIP~
..............coach
Coach Luther
March 27, 2022
Hot Rod is always remembered. Miss hearing his voice. Every time I see my son, Rod Luther I think of Hot Rod!
~ RIP ~,,,,,,,,,,,,,,coach
Coach Luther
March 27, 2021
"Hot Rod" is resting in Peace in God's Kingdom. I will never forget him. His love for basketball was and is still is within me. I am so glad my son is named after this amazing man. I hope to see him and thank him in Heaven. His family must be so proud of him. God Bless all of you............coach
Coach Luther
March 27, 2019
4 years has passed since we all lost "Hot" Rod. He will always be remembered and honored for what he gave to the game and the help he gave to many people. So happy my son carries his name. A real hero of mine! ~RIP~......Coach Luther
Les Robinson
November 7, 2018
He was my hero growing up in St. Albans w va
Gail Conlin
April 5, 2015
You were the BEST! Everything you did, you did with your great talent. You made everything come alive. You were a great friend and will be missed.
Steve Darby
April 5, 2015
Will always be remembered as one of the greatest Mountaineers of all time,the late Voice of the Mountaineers use to tell some of the great and crazy things that Hot Rod would do during the games. He said no one or himself would believe if they hadn't seen it for them self.
Hot Rod will always be remembered from his youth in Charleston (and CHS) and West Virginia's to Mountaineer Nation . The Prince will be missed but not forgotten !
April 3, 2015
We West Virginians will deeply miss the great Hot Rod Hundley. We loved him. He never forgot his roots. He was a proud son of our great state. We pray for his family.
Pastor Bill Tanzey
April 3, 2015
From the time I met you with Cinda Davis at Frish's Big Boy in Charleston to playing against my W&L roomie, Dom Flora to meeting you with WB partner Joe Byrne re a film on your life, you were a good man filled with fun and laughter! You are to be missed so much. RIP Jeb Rosebrook
Richard McHugh
April 2, 2015
A great basketball player , announcer and overall human being. I remember his college basketball announcing with Dick Enberg and others. We pray for him and his family.
Fred Moore
April 2, 2015
Mountaineer nation lost a legend.Heaven gained a great person.Thoughts and prayers for the family.r.i.p.Hot Rod
Rodney Shapard
April 2, 2015
I followed you at WVU and was a classmate (also a HS friend of) Rodney Thorn. While you were unaware you were a member of our club of Rodneys. I was the one that didn't play basketball. You were great. You are missed.
Tom Sayre
April 2, 2015
God bless you Rodney Clark Hundley. May your soul rest in peace and may all of the souls of the faithful departed live in peace.
tom parsons
April 2, 2015
You will always be a mountaineer...thanks for everything...
April 2, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers for the Hundley family. Hot Rod will be missed by his West Virginia family.
Coach Luther
April 2, 2015
Lost Legend "Hot" Rod Hundley (1934-2015) last Friday. All-American from West Virginia who Taught me So Much. Named my Son after Him. RIP
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