Rodney Ardell Wells

Rodney Ardell Wells passed away on December 8, 2020. His death was quick and merciful, at home in the company of his beloved wife Sherril Wells and his devoted dogs Buddy and Petey. A proud descendent of multiple members of the Civil War’s US Colored Troops and the Cherokee Freedmen, he was born on July 26, 1955 in Topeka, Kansas and raised in Compton, CA. He served on active duty from 1973 to 2003 in the United States Navy, more than 20 of those years at sea. The last 12 years he was Command Master Chief on the USS Shiloh, the USS Pearl Harbor, and Chief of the Boat on the USS Pogy. He earned a degree in Mechanized Agriculture and a B.S. in psychology after he retired.

Rodney was employed as a Boiler Plant Operator at the Veterans Hospital in Fresno at the time of his death. He spent his last Saturday with military buddies at the African American Farmers of California demonstration site tending to vegetables he grew for Catholic Worker. His life was spent in service to others. He is survived by his wife, his sister Deborah, his daughter Charletha Harris, two grandchildren (Xavier and Akeema), and one great granddaughter. He was pre-deceased by both parents and his greatly loved siblings David Jr. (Debi) and Rachel. “He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again.” “Rest your oars Sailor, we have the watch.”