Roderick Harvey

Roderick Jay Harvey May18th,1964 - April 23rd, 2019

Live on in the light of eternal, peaceful, purpose. You are loved with an everlasting love.

Roderick Jay Harvey, 54, passed away unexpectedly on April 23rd, 2019. He will be missed by family and a many, many friends.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held on May 18th at 11:00 am. at Church of the Resurrection Downtown Fellowship Center, located at 1522 McGee, KC, Missouri 64108.

Rod grew up in Roeland Park, Kansas and graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School, Class of ’82.  He lived his adult life predominantly in the Kansas City, Missouri region, and served in a medical unit of the Kansas Army National Guard.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Thelman Lee and Lorraine Harvey and grandson, Tryston Painter.  He is survived by sons Lance Painter (Shanna) of Kingston, Tennessee and Ryan Harvey of King City, Missouri, both of whom he loved dearly.  He is survived by his brothers Terry Harvey (Janie) and Gary Harvey (Lisa); sisters Sherry Hilleary (Tom), Susan McGeeney (Terry), and Deborah Sambol (Kevin); grandson Cayden Painter, as well as 14 nieces and nephews and 17 great nieces and nephews.

Rod demonstrated a strong work ethic and spent many years in skilled employment positions such as construction and transportation industries and engineering inspections. All with whom he associated knew him as a “robust and hard-working man, so personable and friendly”.  He loved outdoor work as much as he loved outdoor leisure, and some of his best times were spent fishing with his family or grilling for family and neighbors.  Rod knew how to be a close, devoted friend.  As one of his friends observed, “Rod was a genius of a friend”.

Those who knew him understand that Rod had his share of medical difficulties and struggles.  But, as a professed Christian, he chose the positive, constructive outlook, encouraging those around him to do the same.  Despite the circumstances of his untimely death, Rod’s positive temperament, outgoing character, and affable personality cannot help but be a paradoxical example for us all.  It is in this sense that we will honor and miss him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Diabetes Association - www.donations.diabetes.org

To leave a message for the family and view the full obituary, visit: www.johnsoncountychapel.com