Rodney N. Shay... Age 60

Memorials: To the funeral home to help with cost of funeral.

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Rodney Naylor Shay age 60 of Lane, KS passed away Tuesday August 25, 2020 at his home. Rodney was born February 24, 1960 in Paola, KS. He was the 12th of 13 children born to J.C. (John Charles) and Rachel (VaZain) Shay. He grew up in Paola where he attended school and graduated with the Paola High School Class of 1979. After high school, Rodney started his life long career in construction.

Rodney was the proud father of Rowena, Jeremiah and Justin Shay he loved each of his children dearly. Rodney was a keeper and what I mean by this is he kept everything (not a bad thing)! When Rodney was about 14 years old his father gave him a silver dollar and told him that if he kept it, he would never be broke and Rodney did just that. Rodney carried this silver coin around with him every single day and the day of his passing Rodney had this silver coin in his pocket. This silver coin with no real identifying features left on it but meant the world to Rodney as he held onto the loving memory of his father.  The love of a father and son was passed on to him and his son.  In 1998 Rodney purchased a house in Lane, KS where him and Justin remodeled the whole house and made it their home together. As the years went on they grew closer Justin and Rodney were best friends and there was nothing they wouldn’t do for each other. Rodney had the opportunity to watch and love 8 grandchildren grow. Rodney very much-loved being around his grandchildren any extra time he could get with them he would take advantage of.

On January 26, 2010 this beautiful fur baby was born and eight weeks later Rodney welcomed her in his life. He called her Patches and she went everywhere with him and their love for one another grew they became inseparable. Yet Patches will never know how much she meant to Rodney and Rodney how much he meant to Patches.

When Rodney was not working hard you could find him playing pool or bowling in his younger years. As time went on Rodney really enjoyed playing horseshoes with family and friends. Rodney has always loved mushroom hunting in the spring time and tending to his huge garden in the summer. He was the proud owner of a Harley that he enjoyed taking out for long rides. Rodney loved travelling and was able to go on vacations with Justin and family until his health started declining. Rodney loved being ornery to everyone especially his grandkids. Rodney was such a joyful person always willing to help someone out if he could and just try to make their day better.

He was preceded in death by his son Jeremiah Shay, his parents J.C. and Rachel, two brothers Andy and Danny Shay and one sister Carole Weers.

Survivors include son Justin Shay and wife Christina of Pomona, Ks and Daughter Rowena Shay of Lawrence, KS, grandkids Clay hart, Lyric Smith, Dre Smith, Romeo Smith, Everleigh Smith, Shyla Shay, Seth Shay and Breonna Shay. Brothers John, Eddie and Jennifer Shay, Mark, Dale and Jo Shay and Scott Shay; Sisters Janice Bird, Ginger Shay, Becky and Mike Maimer and Linda Brown. Along with other family and friends.