Oneonta, New York
GREENUP, Ky. _ Rodney D. LeMaster Jr., (Little Rod), 33 years old, of Greenup, Ky., formerly of Hobart, departed this earth on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, to be with the Lord. He struggled with brain cancer for more than a year and a half.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Clarence and Edna Payne; and his paternal grandfather, Glen LeMaster.
Little Rodney leaves behind his wife, Dawn Ray (Dawson); a son, Xander Brice, age 3; and a 2-month-old daughter, Jade Elizabeth. Also surviving are his parents, Rodney and Laura Sue LeMaster Sr.; maternal grandmother, Anna LeMaster; and uncle, Dewey (Barbara) LeMaster, all of Flatwoods; aunt, Glenna (Charles) Dillow of Lakeland Fla.; and uncle, Tom (Carrie) Payne of Ashland. Mother-in-law, Diana G. (Jerry) Spencer of Owensville Ky.; father-in-law, Robert W. (Mary) Dawson of Dayton, Ohio; wife's grandparents, Donald R. and Nora Grubb of Greenup; sisters-in-law, Becky (Bill) Atkins of Columbus, Ohio, Jenni (Jay) Schaeffer of Huber Heights, Ohio; niece and nephews, Dena, Will and Cole; and many other relatives and friends also survive him.
Special friends, (His Guys) Frank Mollinano and Gilbert Mattice, both of Hobart, spent the past week with Little Rod, comforting him in his time of need with love and devotion.
Rodney was a member of the Stamford Baptist Church in New York and he held firm in the belief of a better life in heaven with Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rodney graduated from Russell High School in 1993, and Marshall University in 2003, with a BS in environmental science.
He was an avid fisherman who spent many hours fishing with his father, Rodney Sr., and his son, Xander. He enjoyed four-wheeling in the mountains of New York with "His Guys," Frank and Gill.
Rodney was employed by Covidien Industries of Hobart as a validation manager in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.
Funeral services will be held at the Carman Funeral Home in Flatwoods at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, with visitation from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, and one hour before the services on Wednesday. Pastor Waylen Bray of Stamford Baptist Church will conduct the service. Burial will be in the Cribbs Hill Cemetery on United State Route 60, east of Grayson, Ky.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Ashland, Kentucky, or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline, MA 02445-9924 (www.dana-farber.org) to support brain cancer research in memory of Rodney.
This obituary was originally published in The Daily Star.
I went to school with Rodney my whole life and I never once heard him say a harsh word about anyone. He had a heart of gold and always put others first. God bless his little children so they know what a great person their father was.
LeeAnn McBrayerSnedegar
March 18, 2011 | Russell, KY
Jason Benton
March 18, 2011 | Ashland, KY
One of the things I remember about Jr. is the year we qualified to go to Kentucky Lake through the ABA. We ended up getting 2nd place and big bass for the tournament. When Jr. caught the big 7 pounder I ask him if he was OK as he was really excited. He said he was. When I turned to look at him he looked like he was going to pass out. I will never forget our times together. His constant smile and his friendship along with my friendship with his dad will always remain in my heart.
Butch Keeney
March 09, 2010 | Ironton, OH
When I think of Jr, we will always be at Greenbo fishing jerkbiats. One particularly windy day we caught like 20 keepers each and couldnt leave till dark. Once we got home we found out that a tornado had landed at Morehead and everyone was frantic for us to get in.We became friends before I became re-aquainted with his dad even though we graduated Russell together. Later he paid me back for anything I taught him by taking me and my friends to Erie. I got to watch him grow into a brave,...
Bob Elliott
March 02, 2010 | Flatwoods, KY
I remember showing up at a fishing tournament and seeing Rodney Jr and his dad dressed alike, knowing in the back of my mind that I was going to have to work harder cause Jr was on the water. He was a wonderful fisherman and an extraordinary person. He will be sadly missed.
Bubba's Brother
Larry E Griffith
February 16, 2010 | Flatwoods, KY
I have so many wonderful stories but it all comes down to that Rodney Jr was a very very special nephew and he was very much loved.
Uncle Dewey LeMaster
February 16, 2010 | Flatwoods, KY
Rodney Jr loved come over and spend the day! I would mow the grass and work in the yard, he would be right there helping or riding the four wheeler.
He was a Wonderful Man and was Loved very much!!
Barbara LeMaster
February 16, 2010 | Flatwoods, KY
I remember when I was a kid and would go to Flatwoods to visit my grandparents, I couldn't wait to either go over to Little Rodney's house or for him to come over to Granny's. I remember playing in Grannys basement using the couch as a make believe boat and using guitar stands as the motor and trolling motor. He was a second cousin to me but I was closer to him then most of my first cousins. When he took the job in Paris, Ky he would always give me a call and either come over and watch UK...
Ricky Fraley
February 11, 2010 | Richmond, KY
While fishing at Greenbo one day I saw Rod, Jr. and his dad fishing on the other side of the lake. Rod, Jr. got a hook hung in the back of his head. Dad worked with it until he got sick. I saw them coming towards me and Rod Jr. hollered out "Mr. Hewlett can you take this hook out of my head. Dad is getting ready to take me to the doctor and I don't want to go" I said I thought I could. So he came down the bank and sat down. After I worked on his head for about 10 minutes I finally got the...
Jarold Hewlett
February 07, 2010 | Russell, KY