Rodney “Rod” Howard Schrivener Jr. passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in his home, after a lengthy illness. He was born July 28, 1937 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Rodney Howard Sr. and Alma Denman Schrivener. He attended Byrd High School in Shreveport and Louisiana State University. Rod loved music. He played the bassoon in high school band, and played string bass with the Shreveport Symphony while still a teen. He loved playing the organ so much that as an adult he built his own from a kit. He also played with a small band.
He married his high school sweetheart, Gail Welch, on March 16, 1957. They had two sons, Kurt and Todd. Rod began his career of 32 years with AT&T. He traveled extensively throughout that time. He was based in north and south Louisiana, Virginia, Ohio, and finally settled in Kearney, Missouri in 1978. During this time, he had many interesting experiences, especially while working on the White House account in D.C. After retiring from AT&T, he went back to work at the Federal Court in Kansas City for ten years. Upon retirement from the Federal Court, he actively pursued his hobbies of ham radio, woodcarving, traveling, fishing, and painting. He also had a small home-based business working with electronics.
Rod was always actively involved in church as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, or deacon wherever he lived. He has been a member of Kearney First Baptist Church for 46 years.
Rod was a longtime member of the Lion’s Club, having been a member in several states. He was an Eagle Scout, and attended the Jamboree in New Mexico as a teen. He stayed involved in Scouting for many years, in Ohio and in Kearney. He coached soccer teams for his sons and his grandson.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents, Rodney Sr. and Alma Schrivener, and his brother Bert Schrivener.
He is survived by his wife Gail, of the home; his sons, Kurt (Pam) Schrivener of Olathe, KS and Todd (Becky) Schrivener of Kearney, MO; five grandchildren, Matt, Nick, Jeremy, Heather, and Amanda; and three great grandchildren, Raelynn, Harper, and Emerson.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kearney First Baptist Church, or to the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Fund for Neiman-Pick Type C disease at the University of Notre Dame (to honor his great-granddaughter Emerson). The link to donate directly is https://giveto.nd.edu/campaigns/38042/donations/new?designation=araparseghianmedicalresearchfund or donation envelopes will be available at the service.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Kearney First Baptist Church, 303 S. Grove Street, Kearney, MO 64060. The funeral service will follow starting at 11 a.m. at the same location, followed by a brief graveside service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kearney.
Arrangements are in care of Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Kearney.
Our Sincere Condolences
I remember Rod (and Gail) from our years at Kearney First Baptist Church. My heartfelt condolences to Gail and the rest of the family. May God bless you with the comfort of loved ones and precious memories as you walk through this season of loss.
Wanda Gard
