William H. "Dusty" RODEN Jr.

RODEN, JR., William H. (Dusty)Age 90, passed away on July 20, 2013 at the Hospice Chattanooga Care Center as a result of a debilitating stroke. "Dusty" was born to the late William Herbert Roden, Sr. and Flora Pearl White Roden on October 1, 1922 in Chattanooga, TN. He graduated from Jackson County High School, Scottsboro, AL in 1940 and received his undergraduate degree from Carson-Newman College in 1947. Postgraduate studies resulted in a M.A. degree from George Peabody College in 1948 and PE.D degree from Indiana University in 1956. Post-doctoral studies were pursued at the University of Michigan between 1957 and 1962. Dusty served in the U. S. Army Air Corps as a fighter pilot from 1942-1945, and continued service in the U. S. Air Force Reserve from 1945-1972, retiring as a Lt. Col. Dr. Roden's career in education and public administration began with teaching and coaching positions at Jefferson City and Dickson County high schools from 1946-1948. Subsequent teaching and coaching positions were held at Missouri Baptist College and Henderson State College from 1948-1954. He continued his career as head basketball coach and assistant football coach at Carson-Newman College from 1954-1957, and professor of Health and Education and Dean of Students at Carson-Newman from 1957-1968. He was Dean of Student Services and Professor of Education and Physical Education at Tennessee Technological University from 1968-1979. In 1979, he joined Gov. Lamar Alexander's administration as Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, a post he held until his retirement in 1987. Dr. Roden was very active in community affairs, having served in leadership roles in several Baptist churches, Little League baseball, Boy Scouts of America, American Legion Boy's State (TN), American Legion Boy's Nation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and numerous civic organizations. Known for his high energy and desire to maintain high performance standards, Dusty will be remembered by many students, athletes, and peers as "an individual who made a difference" in the lives of many young people. In his position as Commissioner of Veteran's Affairs, he pursued benefit programs for Tennessee's veterans with passion and persistence. Dusty is survived by three sons and their families: Dr. William C. Roden and his wife, JoAnn Wilson Roden, and their two children, William Christopher Roden and Kathryn Frances Roden; John R. (Bob) Roden and his wife, Charlene Chapman Roden, and their children, Sean Christopher Roden and his wife, Rachel Sjolander Roden, David Scott Roden, James Rankin Parsons, Leigh Ann Parsons, and great-grandchild, Travis Dalton Parsons; and Gary L. Roden. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Carson-Newman University, 1646 Russell Avenue, Jefferson City, TN 37760 in memory of William H. Roden, Jr. Funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2013 at Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City, with Rev. Bill Clark officiating. Family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. prior to the service. Family and friends will meet at 12 Noon Saturday at the funeral home, to proceed to Jefferson Memorial Gardens for a 1 p.m. graveside Interment service. Arrangements by FARRAR FUNERAL HOME in Jefferson City, TN (865) 475-3892.