Rodney Sumpter Rambo

Rodney Sumpter Rambo passed away peacefully on July 9, 2025, at the age of 85, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born on Jan. 13, 1940, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to Joy and Les Rambo, and raised on a farm south of Laverne, Oklahoma.

Rodney’s early years were filled with the warmth and rhythm of rural life. Around the age of 5, his parents owned and operated a small grocery store, but soon after, they moved to a farm where Rodney spent the remainder of his childhood. With his parents busy on the dairy farm, Rodney was often in the company of his older sisters and a gentle horse named Roanie, who together became his caregivers and companions. He attended school in Laverne for all 12 years of his primary and secondary education, graduating in May 1958 from Laverne High School.

He began his college education at Northwestern State College (now NWOSU) in Alva, Oklahoma, where he played football for the Rangers. On Aug. 2, 1959, he married JoAnn Thomas at the First Methodist Church in Englewood, Kansas. The young couple made their home in Alva for the next three years, during which time Rodney completed his Bachelor of Science in Education, and they welcomed two daughters to their family.

In the summer of 1962, the family moved to Syracuse, Kansas, where Rodney began his teaching career. He taught Driver’s Education, 7th-grade science, and high school chemistry and physics, and coached junior high football. While in Syracuse, their son was born. In 1966, Rodney made a career change, joining Michigan Wisconsin Pipeline Company. He briefly returned to Laverne before relocating to Reed City, Michigan, where he and JoAnn added a fourth child, a daughter, to their growing family.

His career with the natural gas transmission company — which later became American Natural Resources — took the family to Imlay City, Michigan, in 1974, and then to Lake Charles, Louisiana, in 1978, where Rodney worked in Grand Chenier. In 1982, they moved to Chickasha, Oklahoma, and eventually settled in Enid, Oklahoma, in 1984. Rodney worked at the Enid area offices until his retirement in January 1997.

Rodney found great joy in the fellowship of Oakwood Christian Church in Enid, where he formed lifelong friendships within the church community. He and JoAnn also shared a love for restoring old homes — not only bringing new life to old spaces but often living in the homes as they worked on them, finding beauty and joy in the process.

In 2008, after spending two years working on JoAnn’s family farm near Englewood, Kansas, they moved there permanently and spent their retirement years in peaceful, meaningful work and quiet companionship.

Rodney was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He and JoAnn raised four children: Jonell Rambo Sirois (Arthur), Paige Rambo Hamilton, Jay Thomas Rambo (Kelley), and Heidi Rambo Centrella. He was deeply proud of his 13 grandchildren — Hope (Dustin) Hewitt, Maggie (Cody) Hayes, Grant Sirois, Grace Sirois; Jordan Hamilton Stauth, Zachary Hamilton, Haile (Matthew) Isakson; Brian Rambo, Rodney (Shawna) Rambo, Joshua (Jessie) Rambo, Stacie (Joshua) Stubblefield; Taylor Centrella, Jax Centrella — and 23 great-grandchildren: Camryn, Landon, Maddyn; Ellie, Cash, Emma; Rowan; Addyson, Blake; Molly, Luke, Theodore; Sadie, Millie, Moses; Macil, Maren; Kaylie, Emilie, Caden, Brynlie; Rocco and Otto.

Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, Joy and Les Rambo; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Macil and Marvin Bracksieck, Janneal and J.C. Wright; brother-in-law W.C. Earnst; and his beloved granddaughter, Jordan Hamilton Stauth. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, JoAnn; his sister, Leslie Earnst; his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends who were touched by his kindness, wisdom and unwavering love.

Rodney’s life was marked by quiet strength, deep faith, and an enduring commitment to those he loved. His legacy will continue in the generations he guided and the many lives he touched.