Rodney "Bird" Rape's Obituary
Memorial Service for Mr. Rodney "Bird" Rape, 70, of Dadeville, Alabama, will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 3:00 pm in the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Brother Wayne Cowhick will officiate. The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Radney Funeral Home.
Rodney Dale Rape, affectionately known as "Bird" to his friends and family, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, February 17, 2024. He was born on Thursday, December 17, 1953 in Alexander City, Alabama to William Lloyd Rape and Sadie Forbus Rape. Born and raised in Alexander City, Bird was proud of the life he created within the community that would always be home to him. He married his best friend, Myrtle Nelson Rape, and treasured the 32 years together of creating memories, raising a family, cheering her on during karaoke nights, and even building a house from the ground up by her own blueprint. Bird's greatest joy was his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who knew him as "Paw Paw Bird." As a social man, his idea of a perfect day would often include his friends and family gathered at his house with great food and the endless telling of jokes and stories.
Bird's work etched the skyline and laid the foundations within the community through a long and distinguished career in construction. Even in retirement, his love for craftsmanship couldn't be stilled, leading him to become the Superintendent for the Publix Project in his home town. This project brought such pride knowing that one of his final jobs would be for the community he loved so much. As a perfectionist at heart with an eye for detail, Bird strongly believed that a job worth doing was worth doing well, no shortcuts. His hands were rarely still, always tinkering, fixing, or creating. Whether it was woodworking, working on ATV's, or cooking out on the grill and smoker, Bird always found joy in the details. He also enjoyed sports, especially basketball, and was an avid music lover of classic country, bluegrass, and jazz.
Bird's life was a blueprint of hard work, dedication, and the ability to always see the big picture without skipping the details. His humor was as infectious as his craftsmanship was meticulous. Bird lived for the ability to bless people and help however he could. It's safe to say that he can rest easy knowing he truly was a blessing to everyone he met. Although the world feels a little less bright without him, it's significantly more fixed up because of him.
Bird is survived by his daughters, Joanna (Jeremy) Watts, Vickie Holliday, Tina King; grandchildren, Ty Watts, Christopher Norris, Tiffany (Mickey) Fuller, Haley (Justin) Fentress, Cody (Kellie) King; great-grandchildren, Ross Norris, Austin Fuller, Cohen Fentress, Raylynn Fentress, Haven King, Harper King, Brody King; sister, Rhonda (Ricky) Strickland; aunt, Gail McConnell; uncle, Henry Rape; and his beloved fur-babies, Paco, Pepper, and Peanut.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle Rape; parents, Lloyd and Sadie Rape; and brother, William Wayne Rape.
Radney Funeral Home is honored to serve the Rape family.
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