Rodney Linton Kelley

Rodney Kelley was born on January 22, 1950, at Pensacola Naval Air Station to Robert L. Shideler and Anna Mayson Kirkland. Following his parents’ divorce, Rod was adopted by his stepfather and took the name Rodney Kelley—a name he carried with pride.

In November 1963, Rod and his mother Mayson moved to Satanta, Kansas, where she married R.J. Bettis, who would become a cherished stepfather to Rod. It was in Satanta that Rod met the love of his life, Jorja Derby from nearby Sublette, Kansas, during the Satanta Day dance in May of 1969, while Rod was attending Pratt Junior College.

In 1970, Rod and Jorja moved to San Diego, returning to Satanta nine months later. They were married on May 19, 1972—on their daughter Simca’s first birthday. Soon after, they relocated to Manhattan, Kansas, where Rod studied at Manhattan Christian College while serving as an ordained Christian minister at a small church in Mattfield Green. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Bible Missions during this time.

Rod later enlisted in the United States Air Force, moving his family to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. He served one year on active duty, helping to process President Ford’s Amnesty program, and then spent six years in the Air National Guard, where he was a sergeant in disaster preparedness training. He was honorably discharged from both branches of service.

Pursuing his passion for sports and education, Rod returned to Manhattan and earned a master’s degree in Recreation and Sport Administration from Kansas State University. He then moved his family to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, beginning a new chapter as a teacher and coach.

He taught civics, coached high school basketball, and served as assistant football coach in Perry, Florida for two years before settling back in Fort Walton Beach, where he would live for the rest of his life.

Rod spent 19 years working at the Okaloosa Correctional Facility, where he served as both Wellness Manager and Recreation Manager for inmates and staff. There, he also taught Total Quality and marriage counseling, and organized local golf tournaments and law enforcement Torch Runs to support Toys for Tots.

After retiring from the correctional facility, Rod continued his commitment to youth development and community by working at the Fort Walton Beach Municipal Golf Course for ten years. He was the head coach for The First Tee program in Okaloosa County, introducing the game of golf and life core values to over 3,500 children across multiple local courses including Hurlburt Field, Crestview, Eglin, and Bluewater Bay.

In 2020, Rod suffered a minor stroke, which was not diagnosed until early 2021. An MRI also revealed markers of Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Despite these challenges, Rod remained brave and cheerful, spending his final five years at home with Jorja—his wife, partner, and caregiver of 56 years.

Rod passed away peacefully at home on September 2, 2025, from end-stage Parkinson’s disease, aspirated pneumonia, and severe dysphagia.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his half-brother, Charles Adam Shideler; and his beloved stepfather, R.J. Bettis.

Rod is survived by his devoted wife, Jorja Derby Kelley; their daughter, Simca Kelley Lynn Finkley; and grandchildren, Damian Lynn and Devin Lynn and their families. He is also survived by son-in-law, Clint Finkley and his sons, Blake, Austin, and Aaron Finkley and their families; as well as his half-sisters,  Angelika “Gela” Shideler Endicott and her husband, Patrick, and children, Zachary Mayhew and Caroline Mayhew, and Kathy Shideler.

A military honors ceremony will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery on Monday, October 6, at 11:30 a.m. Those attending are asked to meet at 103 Winthrop Avenue, Pensacola (off Navy Avenue) by 10:45 a.m.

Rod’s life was marked by service, kindness, resilience, and a deep commitment to faith, family, and community. He leaves behind a legacy of lives touched and values passed on