Rodney Lane Dunn was born June 7, 1966, in Clinton, Missouri, the son of Dale and Dottie Dunn of Urich, Missouri. He died at the age of 39 at the University of Kansas Medical Center on April 8, 2006, after a short, but courageous battle with cancer.

Rodney was a 1984 graduate of Sherwood High School and a 1988 graduate of the University of Missouri, Columbia where he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma fraternity. While attending MU, he met Brenda Kay Steinbach of Holden, Missouri. They were married on October 21, 1989, in Clinton, Missouri, at the Clinton Christian Church.

Rodney and Brenda established a loving home in Oak Grove, Missouri, and started their life together engaging in their favorite activities of boating, fishing, and camping. Soon they began their own family with their first son, Trevor Andrew Dunn, born June 22, 1995. Their family continued to grow with their second son, Jeremy Travis Dunn, born July 17, 1998. They completed their family with their third son, Corey Jacob Dunn, born April 8, 2002.

Rodney was a member of Hopewell Cumberland Presbyterian Church during his childhood and accepted Christ as his savior at a young age. He presently was a member of Oak Grove Christian Church where he served as a deacon. His faith grew as he and his family participated in church activities and through fellowship with other members. Throughout his battle with cancer, his faith helped him cope with the outcome of his illness and drew their family closer together.

Rodney was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Richard and Bessie Dunn and his maternal grandfather, Cecil Simpson.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda, and his sons, Trevor, Jeremy, and Corey. He is also survived by his parents, Dale and Dottie Dunn of Urich, Missouri; his brother Kendal Wayne Dunn, wife Kathy, and their children Sierra and Carson of 0' Fallon, Missouri; his sister Jana Rae Dunn of Kansas City, Missouri; and his maternal grandmother, Irene Simpson of Clinton, Missouri. He is also survived by cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and countless friends.

Rodney lived life to the fullest and treasured the time he had with his immediate and extended family. He was never slow with a smile or a quick joke, and had a kind heart and a loving soul that was unmatched. Rodney shared his love of woodworking with his father and was a master at building creations from wood. He built most of the home his family lived in, taking pride in every piece of wood he put into place and filling the home with furniture he created.

Another love he shared with his father and brother was building a family cabin in the woods. It hosted many weekends of deer hunting and family bonding. This retreat was one of Rodney's favorite places on earth, which allowed him to share his two passions with his boys: hunting and carpentry.

Rodney was employed by Noel Designs, Inc., an architectural woodworking firm in Kansas City, Missouri, for 17 years. He began his career in the woodshop and worked his way up to company vice president. In January 2006, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of opening his own business, Dunn Woodworks.

Rodney spent his last months living bravely and lovingly with his family, friends, co-workers, and church members. He accepted the challenge God placed before him with dignity and strength. His character and strength of faith have left a positive impact on everyone who knew him, and with his wife, he taught his children the way to live a devoted and meaningful life. Those who knew Rodney are blessed and privileged. He was a man of his word, a man who loved his family, and God. He will remain forever in the hearts of all who knew him.

Visitation will be held at the Oak Grove Christian Church, in Oak Grove, Missouri, on April 11, 2006 from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Clinton Christian Church, in Clinton, Missouri, on April 12, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Howard Cupp Jr. and Pastor Chad Martens officiating.

Burial will be in the Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton.