Rodney Stanley Standard

Rodney Stanley Standard passed away peacefully on the evening of Monday, June 12th 2023 surrounded by loved ones. Rodney, or Rooster as he was so affectionately known to most, was born November 29th, 1940 in Jackson, GA to the late Marvin S. Standard and Mildred Bowden Standard. No matter where life took him in his many adventures, Jackson was always home to him.

Rodney attended the Georgia Academy for the Blind where he was active in many programs including GAB Choir, Equal Temperament and Inharmonicity where he learned to string and tune pianos, Caning where he mastered weaving, particularly wicker furniture and he was a Fire Marshall for the Boy Scouts to name a few. Rodney was a proud charter member of Troop 37 at the Academy and had a large part in bringing the program into the Academy. Rodney’s advocacy didn’t end when he graduated. He later ventured into the vending business and was an account representative as part of the Vending Facility program in the Atlanta area for decades. The Vending Facility program was authorized by the Randolph-Sheppard Act to provide the blind with remunerative and meaningful employment through the operation of vending machines and snack bars on federal and state property such as state parks, rest areas, government and private facilities and many other places. Rodney was proud of not only his work in the field, but his staunch advocacy to keep the program alive and fruitful for those in the blind community. While the program was enacted into law in 1936, amendments were made in 1954 and 1974 to keep the program alive. Rodney advocated heavily for the 1974 amendments and held an even bigger hand in advocacy in 1977 when House Bill 183 was vetoed and sales from these machines and snack bars were more heavily taxed. It was then that Rodney became a well-known spokesman for the blind community, even taking their stance on Capitol Hill to fight for more fair opportunities in the spring and summer of 1977. While newspaper articles from the era paint the picture of Rodney and his fellow supporters taking the floor to speak in front of the Georgia House of Representatives and Senate and even sitting in talks with Governor Busbee, Rodney loved to tell of the time in the seventies when he “overthrew the government”. Rodney also served his community for more than 25 years as a Little League baseball coach, with most of that time spent at the College Park Recreation Department. Over the years he shared his love of the game with countless children, pouring himself into the League and ensuring that every child he coached was able to move on with a great sense of knowledge, skill and pride in the game. He was so proud of all of his players, and even watched some move on to Major League Baseball.

In 1999 Rodney retired from the vending business and moved to Crawford, Georgia. It was then that he went to work for B & J Welding, putting in over 22 ½ faithful years before retiring in October of 2021. In addition to the countless things Rooster did to keep the shop organized and running smoothly he took great pride in being there to get the kids off of the school bus most days and settled inside for the afternoon. Rodney spent countless hours at the shop even after retirement keeping up with his customers, visiting with old friends, watching the kids play and hearing about their latest adventures and sporting events, and making sure the place “didn’t fall apart”. He loved bringing the mail by each day so he could sit for a spell and chat or just watch the day go by, and he always brought with him the latest news surrounding his beloved Atlanta Braves and Georgia Bulldogs. There wasn’t a more devoted and faithful fan of “those boys” than Rodney. He listened to every game that he could, countless replays and remembered most every statistic for the last fifty years. When he wasn’t listening to sports or his favorite books, he could be found enjoying his vast record collection. Rooster spent his entire life collecting vinyl records of his favorite artists, most of which were the pioneers of country music with a little of the great rock and roll of the fifties scattered along the way. Rodney knew more about country music than most anyone, and sharing that love with his family and friends brought him such joy.

Rodney touched the lives of innumerable people over the years, but none more than his family whom he loved deeply. In addition to his parents, Rodney was preceded in death by his infant son, Stanley Lacy Standard; sister, Carole Gillen; niece, Vickie Wolford. He leaves behind his treasured siblings; his sister and caregiver, Judy Gillen (Barry Whitlock) of Crawford, GA; brothers, Tony Standard (Bonnie) of Jackson, GA and Richard Mower of Lakewood Village, TX; and three generations of nieces and nephews. Until we meet again, sweet Rod, we will hold dear all of our precious memories gained over the years and honor you with lyrics you loved until the end. “The silence of a falling star lights up a purple sky, and as I wonder where you are I’m so lonesome I could cry”.

Funeral services will be Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Lord and Stephens, East. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00 until 2:00 pm at the funeral home.

Lord and Stephens, East, 4355 Lexington Road, Athens, GA 30605 is in charge of arrangements.

www.lordandstephens.com