Rodney Bryan Kelley

Rod graduated from John Marshall High School and received a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University, where he graduated with honors. After several years with the Department of Criminal Justice, he completed the Texas A & M Fire Academy and began his journey to become an Austin Firefighter, where he proudly served for 20 years. He loved his job and his fellow firefighters, and they loved him. Rod was known by reputation as being a very hard worker. Although he was teased for being tight with his money, he was generous to a fault for those in need, for a good cause and for those he loved. He was devoted to family and extremely loyal to those he called friends.

Hobbies in his younger years were dirt bike racing and 4-wheeling in the hills. More recently, he loved buying/selling real estate. He moved and restored a 130-year-old house doing most of the work himself. He loved spending time with his beloved dogs, Gizmo and Butch… especially Gizmo.

He was preceded in death by his father, Larry Kelley; his bonus dad, Jim Sapaugh; maternal grandparents Harry and Winifred Kern; fraternal grandparents, Lawrence and Marie Kelley.

Rodney is survived by his mother, Joann Sapaugh; extended family, Susan Jeanes, Eileen (Danny) Opella; James (Annie) Sapaugh; two special girls he dearly loved, Kristin and Leah Eckenrode; aunts and uncles, Ed (Nancy) Kelley; Bill (Debbie) Kern; Pat (James) Parchman; Debbie Clark; DeeDee Kern; numerous cousins; and brothers and sisters at the Austin Fire Department. Rod was dearly loved by his family and friends.

The family will receive visitors on Monday, September 6, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

SERVICE

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

12:30 P.M.

COKER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Serivce will be livestreamed and can be viewed below:

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Austin Firefighters Relief and Outreach Fund, www.afrof.org