Rodney Dean McCreery was born March 3, 1969 in Attica, Kansas, the first-born son to Roger and Sharolyn (Roth) McCreery.  Growing up in Attica, Rodney was very social and never met a stranger.  He played football and participated in band playing the trombone.  He attended Attica Assembly of God Church, where he was active in youth group, always enjoying the ski trips the group took and was proud of the fact he was able to ski the blacks.  His family enjoyed camping trips and making memories in many states, Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Oklahoma.  He graduated from Attica High School with the Class of 1987.

Rodney enlisted in the United States Navy Reserves while still in high school. After graduating he worked in the oil fields until he chose to go into the navy full time in 1989, attending training in Great Lakes, Illinois.  He studied Main Propulsion during his enlistment and proudly served in the Persian Gulf War.  He served on the Barnstable County (LST-1197) porting in Sicily, France, Spain, Naples, Scotland, and many more places but his favorites were the ports in Egypt, Israel, and Jamaica.  He always wanted to return to some of these places, especially Jamaica.  He was honorably discharged on March 10, 1995.

While stationed in Virginia, Rodney married Debbie Smith. They later divorced but remained good friends.

Following his discharge, Rodney used some of the expertise he learned in the Navy and began his career as a diesel mechanic.  He worked many years in the diesel mechanics industry, during which time he worked for Copeland International, Myers Oilfield, and Foodliner.  He retired from mechanics but in May of 2022 became a farm/ranch hand in training.

Rodney had a deep love for his family and country.  He was a loving and proud father, grandfather, son, and brother.  He enjoyed his motorcycles, Gun Smoke, Dr. Who, and was very intrigued with genealogy.  His kitty companion, Baby Firefly, brought him much joy and gave him a whole new outlook on life.  Very proud of his military service, Rodney was a member of Attica American Legion Post 298 and American Legion Riders of Medicine Lodge Post 69.  He also served on the Attica Cemetery Board.  He had recently stepped back into his faith and had been attending services at the Faith Baptist Church in Attica.

On February 22, 2023, Rodney passed away at his home in Attica, with Baby Firefly, at the age of 53.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bill and Phyllis Roth and Darlene and Theodore McCreery.

Rodney will be deeply missed by his parents, Roger and Sharolyn McCreery; his children: Diamond Owens, Zack McCreery and wife, Adrienne, and Taylor McCreery; brothers: Steven McCreery and Phillip McCreery and wife, Courtney; grandchildren: Matthew, JR, Brayden, and Isaac; nieces and nephew: Reagen, Celeste, and William; other relatives; and many dear friends.

Memorial service will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the Assembly of God Church in Attica, Kansas.

Memorials in memory of Rodney may be made to the Rodney McCreery Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.