Rodney Balderree

Profile Updated: May 17, 2015
Residing In: Heber Springs, AR USA
Spouse/Partner: Carol (Finster) Balderree
Occupation: Personal Assistant to Carol and househusband
Children: David-38-computer whiz living in Katy
Amy-35 Registered Nurse, traveling nurse...seeing the country
Alison-28- More… diagnostic sonographer, married 6/6/09 (Matt) Vivian born March 2013.
Military Service: U.S. Army  
Comments:

Left BHS for Lamar U. where I started out as a music major, for two days. Found out I had to take piano and knowing that my left hand would never cooperate, switched to liberal arts (but stayed in the Concert Choir). Managed to graduate in four years by taking 21 hours my last semester. Had "won" the lottery in 1971 (32?) but managed to keep my college deferment until I signed up for the regular army, summer of 1972. Carol finally broke me down while in basic training at Ft. Polk, LA and we got married after AIT in March '73. Honeymooned at the Rice Hotel in Houston one night and proceeded to beautiful Killeen Texas where I spent the next two years. Tried to get into graduate school at Texas--they laughed--glad now. What would I have done with a MS in Government? Lamar liked me and let me in their MBA program (after taking 30 hours of prereqs). Worked for Texas Employment Commission for 7 years as an auditor, black suit, briefcase----
Parents moved to Heber Springs Arkansas in 1982. We visited and fell in love---no humidity and no mosquitos. Bought a little resort on Greers Ferry Lake (6 units--all kitchenettes) and ran that for 7 years. Thought I would get rich and with a partner, opened a marine dealership that we started from scratch. Good for a while--sold a ton of boats for about four years and then sank slowly into BK for three. Do we see a 7 year pattern emerging? During that time, I also had a frame shop and gallery that was a lot of fun, but also lost money. Got read the riot act in 1997 and lived apart from May-September. Given a 2% chance to get her back and capitalized on that small number. Started selling Toyotas in 1997 and got a regular paycheck for the first time in years. Switched to BMW around 2000 and did that for four years. Got fired from that job when we got a new GM from Oklahoma who brought all his own people with him. Got a job as the finance manager at Travis for one year until they eliminated the position. Carol retired from Social Security Administration January 2008 and now works as a consultant for people trying to get disability, volunteers at our free clinic, and tends the garden. Busier now than when working full time. All three kids doing well in their own unique ways. One grandbaby, Vivian, by Matt and Ali. Life is good. Open invitation to drop by and let us show you our beautiful lake. We'll even cook you dinner and put you up.

School Story:

Didn't we have some great teachers? I remember particularly, Mr. Magee, Mr. Lake, Ms. Jones, Mrs. Clark, Mr. Ballard, Mrs. Lorenz, Mrs. Crouthamel, Mrs. Goins and Mrs. Volkening. Don't think I had a "bad" teacher. Wish now that I had been more open to other friendships instead of staying in my little cliques.

Rodney's Latest Interactions

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Rodney Balderree added a comment on Profile.
Sep
09
Sep 09, 2023 at 12:55 PM
Rodney Balderree has a birthday today.
May
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May 24, 2023 at 4:33 AM
Rodney Balderree has left an In Memory comment for Profile.
Apr
29
Apr 29, 2023 at 10:03 PM

Although I did not know Bruce well, I was always struck by what a gentleman he was.  Quiet but with a witty sense of humor about him. Cheryl, our hearts are with you as you deal with this huge loss. 

Rodney Balderree has left an In Memory comment for Louanne Harvey Cantrell.
Apr
26
Apr 26, 2023 at 3:18 PM

Sweet Lou,

Your last few years after that stroke have not been a piece of cake. Fortunately your kids found a great facility in Tomball that has taken good care of you. I've loved having you as an adopted sissy the last 15 years. See you on the other side chica!

Oct 27, 2022 at 4:39 PM

Rodney I would like a cutting. Do you still have my address? I am happy to pay for postage just let me know how much.

Rodney Balderree has a birthday today.
May 24, 2022 at 4:33 AM
May 14, 2022 at 4:44 AM

Happy birthday sweet pea!

Rodney Balderree added a comment on Profile. New comment added.
Jul 27, 2021 at 4:30 PM

Posted on: Jul 27, 2021 at 4:30 PM

Rodney Balderree has a birthday today.
May 24, 2021 at 4:33 AM
Rodney Balderree has left an In Memory comment for William Ledlie.
Jan 13, 2020 at 12:33 PM

I reached out to Bill's wife Kristen on behalf of the class to express our collective condolences. Here is her response: 

Rodney,

Thank you for your quick response. He never asked me about going to reunions. I wish he had as we would have gone.  He did work A LOT but still reunions are important. He did suffer with pretty significant social anxiety. 

He has talked about you and Dwight over the 24 years we were together but I am not sure if he talked to either of you. I wish I had more information.

We moved to Dallas in March 2018 as he needed more care than I could provide and I wanted to be near my family.  He suffered quite a bit with pain before we were able to get him into Hospice.  He had CIDP which is a rare neurological disorder similar in many ways to MS.  He also got Dementia.  He was so young when he got diagnosed with CIDP and he had to retire his medical license when he was 64 after taking off 2 years of work.  This was absolutely devastating to him as he loved being a doctor.

Please let me know if you need or want anymore information.  Sorry for the delay in letting you know but I have been in a depression since his death and had not been checking his emails.  Kristen

 

Rest in Peace my friend. We'll meet up on the other side at some point!

Rodney Balderree has left an In Memory comment for William Munn.
Aug 23, 2019 at 12:33 PM

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/clute-tx/william-munn-6758597

Rodney Balderree has a birthday today.
May 24, 2019 at 4:33 AM
Clifford Ward posted a message on Rodney Balderree's Profile. New comment added.
Jan 14, 2019 at 3:51 PM

Posted on: Jan 14, 2019 at 10:19 AM

Rodney, do you know if Lou's mother Marie is still with us? She was a nice lady that helped me in my Ham Radio quest when I was 13. I seldom get over to east Texas but next time I do, I will swing by and see her if I can find her address.

Rodney Balderree has left an In Memory comment for Profile.
Nov 28, 2018 at 12:33 PM

R.I.P. Billy.  Although I remember seeing you, I didn't really know you.  I can see through your senior picture that you were a sweet soul and I hope you had a good life.

Rodney Balderree has left an In Memory comment for Bonnie Canavan Hays.
Oct 17, 2018 at 8:33 PM

Bough-tethered leaf

shuddering in winter wind

awaits release 

~Bonnie Canavan Hays

Thank you Bonnie for allowing several of us to share your journey the last couple years.See you on the other side!  Rodney

Rodney Balderree has left an In Memory comment for Profile.
Oct 08, 2018 at 12:33 PM

Well old buddy, I guess this means we aren't going fishing Thursday morning, but that's ok. We will miss you at the reunion this weekend but I'm sure someone will say some nice things about you.  You will miss dancing with all the ladies but I will try and do double duty for you.  That's what friends are for.

Rodney Balderree added a comment on Profile.
Oct 04, 2018 at 10:48 AM
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Sep 20, 2018 at 3:52 PM
Rodney Balderree added a comment on Profile.
Sep 13, 2018 at 5:43 PM
Rodney Balderree has left an In Memory comment for Jeff Wood.
Sep 05, 2018 at 8:33 PM

Jeff was THE nicest guy you could ever hope to meet. I enjoyed being in Magee's choir all three years with him. So sorry he didn't make it to our last reunions.  RIP Jeff.

Hide Comments
Posted: Mar 07, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Too many of Walter's frozen margaritas---
Posted: Dec 16, 2013 at 11:29 PM
Yep, still wear Ray-Bans.
Posted: Dec 16, 2013 at 11:29 PM
Me, Carol, Ali (22), Matt, Amy (29) and David (31)
Posted: Dec 16, 2013 at 11:29 PM
Danny, Cynthia, Bob, Deanna, and Ralph at Surfside Labor Day weekend.
Posted: Dec 16, 2013 at 11:29 PM
Me and Suzie's cat 2/15/10--his name is Pink
Posted: Dec 16, 2013 at 11:29 PM