DODGE CITY - Rodney Lee Schoonover, 68, died Friday, June 29, 2018 at Via Christi, St. Francis, Wichita, Kansas.

Rod was born on May 5, 1950 and raised on a farm near Kingsdown, Kansas by his parents Homer and Lavergne Schoonover.

He was the youngest of 4 siblings: Don (Cathy) Schoonover, Linda (Alan) Steele, and Kent (Robyn) Schoonover. As a child, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and the organization's God & Country Award. He graduated from Ford High School in 1968, where he was valedictorian and participated in football, track, basketball, and Future Farmers of America. In high school, he met Leslie Riegel, and they married on September 5, 1970. He graduated from Wichita State University in 1973 with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting.

Rod spent nearly 38 years as the controller for National Beef in Dodge City, Kansas. He was a dedicated employee, most often only using vacation days to help with the wheat harvest.

Rod and Leslie raised four children and 11 grandchildren: Ami (Brent), Brayden, and Brier Whitaker; Cade (Stacey), Jaeyd, Cooper, and Caedryn Schoonover; Brekk (Curtis), Scout, Eliza, and Harlow Ellis; Joel, Maddex, Makenli, and Alina Schoonover.

He was preceded in death by his parents and has two unborn babies in Heaven.

He was also the American dad to four exchange students: Pontus Liljebladh (Sweden), Johan Lundgren (Sweden), Daniel Wielandt (Germany), and Staffan Rosengren (Sweden).

He enjoyed collecting Old Henry rifles, mowing his lawn, and attending and supporting his grandchildren in their many activities. Rod was incredibly selfless, a little bit ornery, and forever smiling.

Memorial services will be 2:00 pm Thursday, July 5, 2018 at the First Presbyterian Church, Dodge City, with Jeff Hiers officiating. Burial will follow in the Ford Cemetery, Ford. There will be no public viewing cremation has taken place. Friends may sign the register from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.