Rodney Lee Kehler passed away peacefully December 11th at his home in Rio Hondo, Texas. Rod was born March 2, 1953, in Monte Vista, Colorado to Donald and Sally Kehler.
Rod graduated from Sargent High School in 1971 and attended CSU briefly before joining his family’s farm in Center, Colorado. Rod married Julia (Becky) Tilden August 4th, 1973, and they had three children Joni, Kyli, and Joshua.
Rod had a meticulous nature in growing crops. He used his gift in mathematics and logic to produce some of the highest-quality potato and barley crops in the San Luis Valley. Rod served on the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee Board. He received many awards throughout his life however he was particularly fond of Grower of the Year. He always boasted (privately) about how straight his rows were before there was GPS. Rod would walk behind the combine, with a scoop shovel to make sure the settings were spot-on for kernel retainage. “Keep em’ honest,” he would say, while covered in “barley” chaff.
Rod loved supporting his kids during their athletic endeavors. You could always hear his encouragement no matter how loud the crowd was. Every weekend he and his family hit the slopes. Rod was quite an elegant skier. He loved fishing at Santa Maria, driving fast, playing cards, and watching Mash, Nature, and Looney Tunes.
Rod retired and sold the family farm in December of 2009. He moved to Rio Hondo, Texas because of his health. Rod remarried in 2010 to Lori Taylor (Shockey). He lived out the rest of his days in Texas.
Rod will always be remembered for his sense of humor, contagious laugh, and his big heart.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Sally Kehler (Klecker), brother Roger Kehler, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his brother Randall Kehler, daughters Joni (Ben) Kern and Kyli Kehler, son Joshua Kehler, grandchildren Andrew and Maddie Kern, wife Lori Kehler (Shockey), Lori’s three children Sam, Billy and Ashley Taylor, many cousins, aunts, and uncles.
There will be no service per Rod’s request.
