Rodney William Olivier was born August 7, 1931 on the family farm near Danville, Kansas to Daniel Francis and Margaret Cathrine (Ioerger) Olivier.  Growing up with two brothers, Rodney attended the catholic school in Danville until the family moved to rural Harper, where he entered sixth grade at Harper Elementary School.  He then attended and graduated from Harper High School with the class of 1949.

On December 21, 1950, Rodney joined the United States Air Force where he proudly served his country during the Korean War and served a two year tour of duty with the Far East Air Force Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.  He received the decorations of Korean Service Medal – U.N. Service Medal, National Defense Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.  With the rank of Airman First Class, Rodney was honorably discharged on September 10, 1954.

Returning home, Rodney worked as assistant manager of the Danville Cooperative Elevator.  He was united in marriage with Jessie Jane Jenks on October 4, 1954 at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Harper.  This union was blessed with three children: Nicholas, Vincent, and Angela.

Rodney attended Wichita State University, attaining his Bachelor's Degree in 1960 and Master's Degree in 1964 in School Administration.  Becoming a High School teacher, he taught in the areas of Social Science and Business here in Kansas.  He then went to California for two years and taught Careers and Occupations at Duarte High School.  Returning to Kansas, Rodney accepted the position of High School Principal at Parker, Burrton, and Elk Valley High Schools.  The last seventeen years of his career, he served as Superintendent of the Elk Valley Unified School District at Longton, Kansas.

Upon retirement in 1991, Rodney became engaged in farming in the Harper area.  He enjoyed sports and participated in hunting, fishing, and was an avid golfer.  In 1993, he migrated to Kingman, Arizona.  In 2003, he returned from Arizona, dividing his remaining years living in the Lake Texoma area at Pottsboro, Texas and Harper, Kansas.

At the age of 86, Rodney passed away in Wichita, Kansas on May 27, 2018.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Margaret Olivier; brother, James; and son, Nicholas.  He is survived by his brother, Daniel of Bullhead City, Arizona; former wife, Jessie of Frisco, Texas; son, Vincent of Harper; daughter, Angela Snyder of Frisco; grandchildren: Neil, Brent, Brian and Nichole, Brooks and Brandie, and Joshua and Bethany Snyder; six great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Charlene Olivier; nephews and niece: James, Andy, and Rochelle of Enid, Oklahoma; other relatives and friends.

Friends may view and register from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Funeral Services are Monday, June 4, 2018 with Recitation of the Rosary at 10:00 a.m. and Mass of the Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., both at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Danville, of the St. Joan of Arc Parish Community with Father Michael Peltzer officiating.  Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, south of Danville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 613 W 14th ~ Harper, Kansas 67058 is in charge of the arrangements.