Guy Rodon

Guy Albert Rodon, of Columbia, passed away peacefully in his home July 13, 2025 with his family around him. He was 80 years old. He was born March 10, 1945 in Cleveland, OH to Guy Raymond and Maria (Marvis) Rodon. He grew up there within a large, close-knit Greek family and carried those strong family values throughout his life.
Guy started his lifelong career in orthotics and prosthetics as a 16-year-old volunteer at Highland View Hospital in Cleveland. He attended Ohio University in Athens, OH for 4 years until leaving to train in orthotics at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Downey, CA. While working there, he invented a thermal-vacuum fabrication process for molding plastics that became a standard in the field. In 1973, he was recruited to head the P&O Department at New York State Rehabilitation Hospital (now Helen Hayes Hospital) in West Haverstraw, NY and received training in prosthetics at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) as well. He became certified by the American Board for Certification in both orthotics and prosthetics. In 1979, he was recruited by the University of Missouri to head its P&O Department in University Hospital. Subsequently, he worked in private companies, including Columbia Prosthetics and Orthotics, NovaCare, and Hanger. He retired in 2010 after 42 years.
Guy was devoted to his family and worked hard to provide well for them. He met Carole Meade, the love of his life, in 1969 when she was an Occupational Therapy affiliate training at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Downey, CA and he was an Orthotics trainee. They married September 10, 1970 and celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary last year. They had two children, Guy Andre and Melinda Dierre.
Guy had an insatiable curiosity about things and how they worked, always delving deeply into anything that caught his interest. In his youth, Guy loved electronics and built his own shortwave radio to communicate with people in other countries. He liked to work on cars, whether pulling an engine, installing brakes, or restoring his beloved MG. In his 20's, he became fascinated with pottery and became skilled at throwing on the wheel, making his own clays and glazes, even building a pottery wheel and gas-fired kiln for high-fire stoneware. He also developed an extensive collection of African violets and related species. Vegetable gardening became a passion after he was influenced by the self-sufficient hippie movement during his California years; the family grew and preserved much of their own food. When computers caught his interest, he built his own. He honed his woodworking skills to build all his family's kitchen cabinets and made ceramic knobs for them. After building regulation horseshoe pits, he became a deadly pitcher of ringers. Fishing for crappie and blue gill filled many weekends. In recent years, he loved listening to audiobooks, participating in computer games with his son, watching deer and birds at backyard feeders, and having Carole read Mary Oliver poems to him. As one debilitating stroke after another hit, Guy never gave up, always fighting and working hard to regain abilities, adapt, and enjoy life. Many caring rehab colleagues stepped forward to help him each time, and the family is forever grateful to these very special people.
Guy was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Carole, their children, Guy Andre (Columbia) and Melinda (Brant) Campbell (Lynbrook, NY), grandchildren Madelyn and Parker Guy Campbell, sister, April Rodon (Chesterland, OH), sister-in-law Robin (Matt) Cadwell (Columbia) and cousins. "Uncle Gigi"was beloved by his nieces, Catrina Covino (Julio Pina) and Skylar (Highland Heights, OH), Chantel Covino (Macedonia, OH), Katie Cadwell (Jesse Bond) (Syracuse NY), Emily Cadwell (Barnhart, MO), and Alex (Julio) Alvarado and Zion and Zanaya (Columbia).
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in memory of Guy to support therapy for children and adults with disabilities: Riley Equine Center, 17244 Doyle Road, Boonville, MO 65233.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service and Crematory, 12 E. Ash St.; Columbia, Missouri 65203. (573) 449-4153. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.milardfamilychapels.com
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