Kenneth Coleman "Kenny" Rode

Kenneth Coleman Rode, “Kenny”, passed away at Pleasantview Nursing Home in Metter, Georgia on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at the age of 91 from advanced Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia. He had been a resident of Pleasantview Nursing Home in Metter GA for the past 10 months and prior to that Chatuge Nursing Home in Hiawassee Georgia for 10 years.

Kenny was born on October 4, 1929 in Youngstown Ohio. Kenny was predeceased by his loving wife Patricia “Kelley” Rode, his parents Kenneth Mauer Rode & Lucille Parker Rode, his brother Jon Vandermark Rode and his granddaughter Kimberley Dawn Owens.

Kenny is survived by his daughters Jeannie “Michele” Owens (William “Billy”) of Delray Beach, Florida and Lisa DeHart Rode Hansen (Jon) of SV Molly J near Barra De Navidad in Mexico along with his granddaughter Beth Bariski of Santa Cruz, CA and his great-grandson Nicholas Delgado.

In his 30’s Kenny drove across the country and hopped a ship to Hawaii where he discovered his love of sailing and ventured into the career of Interior Designer. He continued designing while living at Villa Abriga on Banker’s Row in Delray Beach Florida in the 1960’s & 70’s. Then in the mid-1980’s he and his wife bought a large motor home and traveled the US, Mexico & Canada before settling in Hiawassee Georgia where he owned and operated “Kenny’s Western Wear” alongside his wife at “Kelley’s Boutique”.

Kenny & his late wife Kelley enjoyed traveling throughout Europe where he grew to love German beer so much that he came back to the states and brewed his own version of Guinness in his basement.

While living at Chatuge nursing home in Hiawassee, he continued his love of design by creating his own jewelry line & painting. He was an avid gardener and especially enjoyed planting bulbs in his raised gardens at to the wondrous delight of the other residents. Until his disease took away his physical ability Kenny would exercise every day – working out on the stationary bike, walking and doing stretches.

The family sends its sincere gratitude to the nurses, doctors and staff of Meadows Regional Hospital in Vidalia Georgia, Pleasantview Nursing Home in Metter Georgia and Chatuge Nursing Home in Hiawassee Georgia for their kindness and compassion while caring for him.

The family plans to have a private service while they spread his ashes out to sea along with his late wife Kelley’s.

Please raise your glass of Guinness (Kenny's favorite beverage) to celebrate a life well-lived.

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