J. Rodney Duckworth Sr.

J. Rodney Duckworth Sr. VIRGINIA BEACH - Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Rodney Duckworth Sr., 74, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Oct. 24, 2010. He was born in Tulsa, Okla., and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1958. Following graduation, Lt. Col. Duckworth received his commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He began his career in the Marine Corps at attending The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Va. As an artillery officer, Lt. Col. Duckworth served tours of duty with the Third Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan; was the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines and 2nd Anglico while assigned to the Second Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C.; and the First Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam. He also had tours of duty at Twentynine Palms, Calif.; the Marine Barracks, Concord, Calif.; the Joint/Combined Staff, Taiwan; and at headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic. After 27 years of loyal and dedicated service, Lt. Col. Duckworth retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in February 1984. He started his second career of 26 years in 1984 as a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley, rising to senior vice president. In 2005 he started The Duckworth Group as Senior V.P. with UBS Financial Services Inc. The group consist of his son, J. Rodney Duckworth Jr., vice president, Bill Dullaghan, financial advisor and close friends of 31 years and Susie Waters, Registered Client Service Association who has worked with Rod for 26 years. He was very proud of his accomplishment as a financial advisor and had many clients who became close friends. As a young second lieutenant he discovered the game of volleyball and was an active player until he retired. Then a group of senior retired and active duty military personnel were assembled as a team dubbed "War Horses" and competed throughout the eastern area and on to the senior division of the USA Nationals. This marked the beginning of decades of long string of National Senior Games, World Senior Games, USAV National Seniors and USA Open Division participation. He became very active in teaching his son, Jon Michael to play volleyball. Michael received a scholarship at George Mason University where he graduated. Rod was very active with the university, coaches and players contributing much time and resources to the success of the volleyball program. He put together a team of top college performers and proceeded to compete for several years at the highest level in United States Open Volleyball Championships. It will suffice to say people from all walks of life have had their volleyball experience richly enhanced because of him. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 42 years, Suzie and their two sons, J. Rodney Duckworth Jr. and Jon Michael Duckworth of Virginia Beach; two grandsons, Riley Duckworth and Garrett Duckworth; daughter-in-law, Denise Duckworth of Oklahoma City; sister, Beverly Ann Harris and brother-in-law Jim Harris of St. Louis; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mary and Richard Handley of Plano, Texas; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, David Rodney Duckworth of Dallas. The family would like to thank Drs. John and Chantal Brooks for their support for the past three years as his doctors and close friends; Shirley Hughes and Carolyn Killebrew and Sentara Hospice Nurse Wanda Hyatt for their love and support during Rods last few days. Rod was a loving husband and dedicated father to his sons. He always had a helping hand to all that knew him. He will truly be missed by his Marine Corps friends, volleyball friends, and his many clients and associates. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Church of the Ascension Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Princess Anne Memorial Park with full military honors being accorded. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.altmeyer.com. Memorial donations may be made to Sentara Hospice, 535 Independence Pkwy, Suite 200, Chesapeake, VA 23320 or to the American Cancer Society, 4416 Expressway Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23452.