Rodney Urton Obituary (1948 - 2026)

With a heart full of joy and a dash of sorrow, we celebrate the spirited life of Rodney Urton, known to many as "Rookie." Born under the Ohio sky in Springfield on September 20, 1948, Rodney lived a charismatic life, overflowing with laughter, generosity, and a love for all things fast and fun. His humor was infectious, his spirit unbreakable. After 77 vibrant years, our beloved Rodney left us on March 14, 2026. Rodney, a retired truck driver from Supervalu in Xenia, Ohio, was a man of many passions. He was a fixture at the Nascar races, a staunch supporter of the Bengals, and an avid golfer. His love for games didn't stop on the green; Rodney was known to dominate at billiards and darts, always with a twinkle in his eye and a playful jab for his opponents. As Mark Twain once said, "The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter." Rodney wielded this weapon with expertise, his funny nature and generous spirit making him a treasure in the lives of all who knew him. Rodney leaves behind a loving family, including his wife, Teri Urton, his son Rodney, and his daughters Kristal Hargrove and Michelle Stewart. He is also survived by his step-daughter Tara West, step-son Robert Barker, and cherished sisters Mikki Bahl and Pam Penwell. Rodney was preceded in death by his father, Charles Urton, his mother, Carrie Kearns, and his brother, Denny Urton. As we bid farewell to our beloved Rookie, we hold tight to the memories of his generous heart, his charismatic personality, and his spirit that was always ready for the next adventure. In the words of Dr. Seuss, "Don’t cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." Rodney would want us to remember the laughter, the love, and the joy he brought to our lives. We invite you to share your memories of Rodney and upload photos to his memorial page. Let's keep his spirit alive through our shared stories and memories.