He was born on October 18, 1958, in Woodruff, South Carolina to the late Henry Lanford and Sallie Jewell Waddell Lanford.
Rodney lived a life defined by adventure, curiosity, and courage. A proud U.S. Air Force veteran, he served as a certified ultralight pilot. His fearless spirit led him to the rodeo as a bull rider and beneath the waves as a scuba instructor. Professionally, Rodney worked as an airplane mechanic for Lockheed Martin and later retired from BMW after 16 years of dedicated service.
His passion for exploration took him around the world, with exotic hunts and travels that became some of his most cherished memories. In his later years, Rodney continued to embrace life’s adventures alongside his loving wife, Julia Skipper, with whom he shared deep joy and companionship.
Rodney is survived by his wife, Julia, and his sister, Angela Holland.
A Receiving of Friends will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC 29609.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rodney’s honor to the Ronald McDonald House (https://ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org/donate) or Shriners Children’s Hospital (https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org/).
