It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rodney Wayne Fuhrmann, Sr., who left us on July 21, 2023. Born on November 22, 1938, Rodney graced his family, friends, and the world with his inspirational, outspoken, larger-than-life personality. Rod was known by many monikers -- Rodney, Rod, Shug, Husband, Dad, Coach, PaPa, Grampa, brother, uncle, friend, Boudreaux, etc.
Rodney is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Carolyn Sue Edwards; children, Devienne Theriot (Michael), Ernest Fuhrmann (Nicole), and Natalie Quinlan (Brian); bonus children, Lisa Edwards and Hunter Edwards; brother, Donald Fuhrmann (Sandra); grandchildren, Madeline Cook, Mason Edwards, Jared Cook, Gabrielle Theriot, Analise Thibodaux, Nicholas Theriot, Rylee Fuhrmann, Rodney “Trey” Fuhrmann III, Everett Edwards, Davis Edwards, Owen Quinlan, Sienna Fuhrmann, Vivienne Quinlan, Aspen Fuhrmann, and Alanna Quinlan; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, including special relationships with Sylvia Blake and Judy Ann Harris, and the mother of his children, Gloria Roman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edith Nell and Ernest Fuhrmann; his sister, Alice Dorothy, and her husband Scottie Mathews; his beloved sons Rodney Wayne Fuhrmann II and Robert Olie Edwards, Jr.; and granddaughter, Payton Olivia Edwards.
Rodney was born and raised in Bogalusa, La., and lived there until attending Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La., where he played football and baseball. In addition to eventually earning his Master’s Degree, he served in the Louisiana Army National Guard for eight years.
However, Rodney’s enduring passion in life, after his family, was coaching athletics. He began his teaching and coaching career in schools in Louisiana, including Riverside Academy in Reserve, La., where he led his teams to two state football championships. He also coached and taught in Mississippi until he moved into the oil and gas industry, working as a successful salesman, first in South Louisiana and later in Texas.
More than 20 years ago, Rodney was diagnosed with and bravely fought the first of four cancers, even returning to coaching high-school football amidst rounds of treatment and recovery. He became a devout Christian and incorporated his spirituality into his coaching, to the immense benefit of his players. He also had the opportunity to coach alongside his beloved son, Rodney Wayne Fuhrmann Jr., at Magnolia Legacy Christian, where they were able to lead the team to the state playoffs together.
His love of sports and belief in their positive impact on young people was a driving factor in Rod’s life. He taught many young men lessons in resiliency and commitment, as well as the importance in believing in themselves, in their team members, and in God. These are traits that he held dear and practiced personally, and he maintained that same encouragement with all those he encountered, whether it be his family, athletes, students, friends, fellow church members, and colleagues in the oil and gas industry.
Visitation services will be held at Metcalf Funeral Directors on Thursday, July 27, 2023, from 5-8 p.m., and a memorial service will follow at April Sound Church on Friday, July 28, from 1-2 p.m. For those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed via the April Sound Church Facebook page.
Rodney’s family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, his loved ones attend his celebration of life, as well as consider donating to the following foundations, which directly impact his family members:
• American Cancer Society: Donate.cancer.org
• Biliary Atresia: paypal.me/houstonyes
• Melorheostosis: Melorheostosis.com
• Diamond Blackfan Anemia: Dbafoundation.org
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.metcalffuneraldirectors.com for the Fuhrmann family.
