June 12, 1969 – Oct. 30, 2024
Rodney “Rod” Alfred Ringer, 55, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in his home near Culver, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born June 12, 1969, in Plymouth, to Eugene Alfred Ringer and Helen Irene Crow Ringer. He was a 1987 graduate of Culver Community High School and proudly served our great nation as a member of the U.S. Army – National Guard.
Rod was the proud owner of Ringer’s Golf Carts LLC, and served as the superintendent of Maxinkuckee Country Club Golf Course for nearly four decades. On Sept. 30, 2006, Rod married his best friend, Jessica Faith Loring Cannon. The two dated for nearly 20 years before marriage, and there was joyful laughter from their wedding guests when the first dance song was "At Last" by Etta James. Together, they built a beautiful life centered around faith, family, community and their two beautiful children, Elsie Maude and Jacob “Jake” Alfred. Elsie, their precious daughter, left their lives too soon, but her memory remained a cherished part of their family.
Rod was an athlete, traveler, avid sportsman and die-hard Cowboys fan who loved spending time hunting, celebrating holidays and making memories with those he loved most. While battling cancer, with help from friends and family, a few of his dream trips came true. He was able to hunt for moose in the Alaskan wilderness, go to Hawaii to surf for the first time with his son, hunt Spanish goat and visit Pearl Harbor with his family, as well as a treasured sibling’s trip to Missouri. More importantly, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and son and a loyal brother and friend.
Family was paramount, and Rod cherished every moment spent with the love of his life, Jessica, and Jake. Jake was the center of Rod’s universe – his pride and joy, the reason for his every decision and the source of his unwavering happiness. From the moment Jake was born, Rod dedicated himself to being the best father possible. He took Jake to/from school every day, attended every function, field trip, game and concert and never missed a chance to create memories together. In light of his strength, resolve and incredible positivity, Rod never lost hope since the day he received his colorectal cancer diagnosis. He lived life to its fullest, treasuring every moment he had with those around him.
He had a personality that made him seem larger than life. He always laughed harder, loved deeper, gave freely and cared unconditionally. He never knew a stranger and was a beacon of light to all those around him. He was the type of person who would find you a sunbeam in a rainstorm, a smile on your hardest days, or a laugh when you didn’t even know you needed it. He was an extraordinary, truly wonderful human being. And while cancer may have taken his body, his spirit and his love will live on forever.
Rod is survived by his wife, Jessica; son, Jacob; his mother, Helen Ringer; stepmother, Robbie Ringer; siblings, Randall (Michelle) Ringer, Shaunna (Todd) Bennett, Jon (Shelli) Ringer, Jamie Ringer, Rollonna Sauberlich and Joni (Kris) List; mother-in-law, Nancy Cannon; and in-laws, CaraLee Robertson, Courtney (Ben) Lustig and Jared Cannon, along with many cherished and loving family members.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Elsie Maude Ringer; father, Eugene Ringer; father-in-law, Charles Cannon; and great-nephew, Nickolai Ringer.
Rod will be cherished and celebrated until the end of time, and his family is at peace knowing how much he was loved and gave love.
A celebration of life for Rodney Alfred Ringer is at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at Culver Academies Memorial Chapel, 1300 Academy Road, Culver. Pastor John Meiser and Pastor Bob Metzger will officiate. The Fulton County Veteran's Honor Guard and the U.S. Army will accord military honors at the Washington Cemetery, Culver, where he will eternally rest.
Rod's family received friends Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester. There was visitation one hour prior to his service at the Culver Academies Memorial Chapel.
Preferred memorials may be made for Jacob's educational 529 Fund at Ugift529.com, Ugift code: X6K-P02. Information is available at the chapel and funeral home. Online expressions of sympathy may be made to his family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.
