Albert Leonard Roddy

The son of Forrest and Cleva Roddy, Albert had nine brothers and five sisters. His surviving Sisters include Lillian Nichols of Lakewood, CA and Ruby Ridgway of Mexico, Missouri. His surviving Brothers are Joe Roddy and Donald Roddy of Centralia Missouri.

Albert married the love of his life Peggy on November 20th, 1949, they had two girls, Ramona Ackermann and Nancy & (Larry) Clemons, and four boys, Mike Roddy, Roger & (Diane) Roddy, Dan & (Nancy) Roddy and Allen & (Teresa) Roddy.

Albert was blessed with thirteen grandchildren; Nicole & (Robert) Shannon, Michael Ackermann, Paul & (Kelly) Roddy, Lisa & (Chris) Cloud, Jason & (Cara) Roddy, Steve Conrad, Kevin Conrad, Kyle Roddy, Jessica Roddy, Kristin Roddy , Chris & (Julie) Clemons , Nathan Roddy and Amanda Roddy.

He also had four Great Grandchildren; Ryan Shannon, Rosalie Shannon, Maverick Shannon and Clara Clemons

Albert L. Roddy - Eulogy

My Dad, Albert Leonard Roddy was born on July 24, 1926 in an old 800 square foot Farm House in Centralia, Missouri.

He was the ninth of fourteen children born to Forrest and Cleva Roddy.

My Dad grew up in that Farm House and the youngest memory he had was when his brother Frank gave him a horseback ride in the snow to town when he was about 5 years old.

The Roddy’s became well known for their large family in Centralia, Missouri and a few years ago the road that is adjacent to the Farmhouse was renamed Roddy Road.

As my Dad grew up on the Farm he remembers a life filled with chores that needed to be done. Bringing wood into the house on a cold winter’s day, and harvesting corn in the hot, humid summer. He always had countless stories to tell about all of the fun times he had with his brothers, and of course the injuries they would sustain on the farm. He really liked the Summer time when he could go swimming in the ponds and catch bull frogs in the evening for a feast of frog legs.

At that age of 14 he left the farm to go live with his Grandmother Waters in town as they needed room in the farm house for more children. During that time he helped his Grandmother take care of his ageing Grandfather Waters by giving him a shave when he needed it and going out and finding him when he would take off out of the house. Dad would typically find his Grandfather in town and guide him back home once he did. For the next 4 years he went to school and worked at as many jobs as he could, primarily farming type jobs.

At the age of 18 he entered the service with the Army. After a quick Railroad ride across the U.S. to Fort Roberts in Paseo Robles, CA he began 15 weeks of Boot Camp. When he was finished he held the title as an Artillery Specialist, although he will tell you he knew very little about Artillery. Once his training was complete he was sent off to Germany.

He was stationed near a town in Southern Germany where he basically served as occupation forces, as the front had already past Southern Germany bye. He told me of stories that the local villagers would regularly bring them food and drink while they stood guard on the cold days and evenings.

The war ended a few months later and my Dad was eventually shipped back to California where he was discharged from the Army.

After discharge from the Army Al went down to stay with his Sister Evelyn in Avalon on Catalina Island.

It was there during his birthday celebration on July 24th1948 at the Casino in Avalon that he met the love of his life – my Mom. Now my Mom remembers everything about that evening, especially that my Dad was, in her words: “three sheets to the wind”.

He married my Mom in November of 1949, and they eventually ended up in a house on Oliva Street, only three blocks away from here. In 1956 after having three children they decided to get into a bigger home, 1,164 square feet on Coke Avenue where they ended up raising their six children, and where my Dad passed away.

My Dad was one of the hardest working guys I knew. While raising his family it was not unusual that he would work 6 days a week and on rare occasions 7. He was a Clerk in a Grocery store named Cole’s up in North Long Beach and when they closed in the 1970’s he went to work for Boy’s Markets where he retired from.

My Dad and Mom had six children, who blessed them with 13 Grandchildren, who blessed them with 4 Great Grandchildren.

He was a sweet, kind, guy who was always positive about everyone and everything.

Even though he knew that Parkinson’s was taking a toll on his body he always said that he could not wait to get better – just up until a few days before his passing.

Last Monday night during a Christmas Eve Celebration at my home I will never forget a conversation that I had with my Dad with my Sister Ramona and her son Michael listening.

I was thanking my Dad for coming to the celebration even though I knew he did not feel well. He told me that he thought that this would be his last Christmas.

I told him that it might be, and that how wonderful it was that he came tonight for all of his children and grandchildren to see even though we all know how difficult it was for him.

He started to cry and I knew it was because he knew he would miss us all and that his time was short.

37 hours later he was gone.

Everyone who knew him will miss him dearly.