Rodney James Sunderland

1947 - 2025

Rodney James Sunderland

Jul 15, 1947 - Sep 28, 2025

Rodney James Sunderland, age 78, passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side September 28, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.

Rod was the oldest of four children born to Charlene and Jim Sunderland in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He spent a happy childhood with a close knit family, including his siblings, cousins and doting grandparents. Growing up, lots of memories were made riding bikes, frog gigging, swimming, fishing and ice skating (to name a few) as he grew up near LaFortune Park. He cherished the lifetime friends he met at elementary schools McClure and Carnegie, and those that he graduated with in the class of '65 at Tulsa Memorial High School. Rod excelled as a student and an athlete, playing baseball and as an all-state football player.

Rod attended Oklahoma Military Academy (now Rogers State University) on a football scholarship and later transferred to the University of Tulsa where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and obtained a business degree. While he was in college, he was set up on a blind date with a former high school classmate, Jackie Barron, whom he married and with whom he raised two children in Tulsa.

Rod had big dreams, was kind hearted, generous and loved being able to take care of family both at home and at work. As an astute entrepreneur and risk taker, he and Jackie built a successful business, Metal Specialty Company, in Broken Arrow Oklahoma. Rod was a well-respected small businessman who made numerous friends in the Tulsa and surrounding Oklahoma business communities.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Charlene Sunderland, his wife, Jacqueline Barron Sunderland, son, Andrew Sunderland, and second wife, Theresa Holloway. He is survived by his loving family, daughter, Shannon Sunderland, four grandchildren, brother, Kent Sunderland (Denise), sister Jan Underwood (Ken), sister, Jamie Beers and a large legacy of many beloved nieces, nephews, grand nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will host a Celebration of Life to honor Rod on Tuesday, November 25th at 11:00 am at one of his favorite places, the Tulsa Botanic Garden. Please RSVP for the service by November 17th at the link below, or email Shannon.sunderland@gmail.com.

RSVP: https://pp.events/celebration_rodsunderland

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Rod Sunderland to New Haven United Methodist Church, 5603 South New Haven Avenue, Tulsa OK 74135.