Rodney Lee “Rod” Quinn
Rodney Lee “Rod” Quinn ran into the arms of Jesus on February 21, 2024, at 1:05 A.M., with the love of his life, Dawn, by his side. He is survived by his wife Dawn Annette Quinn, daughter Shawna Lee Frazier (Keith) of Kansas City; MO, his granddaughter Jade Ferol Xian Frazier of Kansas City, MO; his granddaughter Ariel Dawn Jian Otto (Brandon), great grandson Beau and great granddaughter Josephine of Blue Springs, MO; three nephews who were like sons, their wives, kids and grandkids.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Aubrey Lee “Butch” and Myrtle Kathryn Quinn, his brother Robert Paul “Bob” Quinn, and his sister-in-law Margaret Quinn.
Rod was born on December 12, 1936, in Albany, Missouri to “Butch” and Myrtle Kathryn Quinn. He graduated from Albany High School in 1954. Rod was always great at sports. He was a stand-out at AHS in football and basketball and he kept a love for those games being a huge KC Chiefs fan as well as a big Mizzou football and basketball fan. He spent a year at Northwest Missouri State University before making the decision to serve the country he loved by joining the United States Air Force in 1955. He was stationed for most of his time in Montgomery, AL and only saw Dawn about one time a year during those four years. After achieving the rank of Senior Airman, he was honorably discharged in 1959.
Rod married Dawn on October 18, 1959, in Marshalltown, IA. They settled back in Albany where he first worked at Wayne’s Department store on the square. After a time in retail, he moved to the grocery business by working for Hy-Vee as the produce manager. However, Rod always had the dream of owning his own business in Albany. So, in 1974, he took the plunge and opened Thunderbird Leather Shop on the east side of the square. He always had a huge respect for the Native American culture art and jewelry, so he incorporated that passion into what he created and sold. He was a skilled leather craftsman making beautiful leather good for so many in Albany and surrounding towns. He also was the primary provider of gun holsters for the northern counties of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Rod resided in Albany until 1993 when he and Dawn realized another dream by relocating to Osage Beach, MO and buying a home on the lake. He semi-retired, taking a job in a local department store before being recruited by the store’s owner to assist with a new company at the time, Argosy Consoles. He worked there until he retired for good in 2007. They bought a pontoon boat when they first moved to the lake, and cruised the lake for many years before things got a little busier on the water than they like, so they sold the boat and just enjoyed their lake view until they moved in 2018 to Pleasant Hill, MO to be closer to family during their later years.
Rod packed a lot of living into his 87 years! He and Dawn were active in a bowling league, horse shows, tennis, ping pong, and later in life golf and boating. They also loved to travel. Especially to the Southwest. Their last trip they logged over 3,400 miles of driving as they visited Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. Their favorite places were the Grand Canyon, Taos, and Monument Valley. They loved visiting with the Native Americans in all the towns and looking for the perfect turquoise jewelry to bring back for the family. They also loved participating in any activity their granddaughters had going on, even celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary at Disney World. They traveled all over the country for dance competitions, horse shows, swim meets, art shows, band concerts, and football games (to watch the dance team and the marching band).
Rod never met a stranger and was truly liked/loved by everyone who knew him. Describing Rod was very easy as it came down to three things in this order: Faith, Family, and Freedom. He loved Jesus and as Dawn has said many times, she never met a more Godly man. Rod never uttered a foul word and he never drank a drop of alcohol and if he made a negative comment about someone, it was usually valid! Rod served his church for many years as a Deacon, chairing committees, serving on search teams for new pastors and just about anything else that the church asked of him. Rod was beyond a family man. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He adored his entire family and would do anything for them, including sacrificing his time, money and belongings to help them out. His pride for his wife, daughter, son-in-law, granddaughters and great-grandchildren knew no bounds. Anyone who talked to Rod for more than about ten minutes knew all of the accomplishments of his family! He was still bragging and showing pictures of everyone to the nurses and staff at the care center just days before he passed. Rod was beyond proud of his service to his country. He was always and forever an Airman! He loved his time in Montgomery and often recounted the assignments he had and the friends he made there. Spending time with Rod usually meant at least one story about the Airforce or planes!
To know Rod was truly a privilege. To be his family was beyond an honor and honestly life changing. It is completely impossible to adequately convey a life so well lived and a man so well loved.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 23 at 1:00 P.M., at Roberson-Polley Chapel, Albany, MO, followed by a graveside service with Military Honors at Carmack Union Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the American Legion, Pleasant Hill, MO, Post 53.
Online Condolences: www.robersonpolleychapel.com
