Rodney Hovey

Rodney Hovey, 77, passed away on February 13th, 2024.

Rod was born in Jackson, MI on May 30th, 1946, to Carlton “Pete” and Doris (Mann) Hovey.

Rod attended Michigan Center Schools (K-12); graduated from Jackson Community College (1966) and attended WMU. He married Patricia Mae Crego on August 3, 1968. Rod served in the Army as a Military Police officer from 1969 through 1971 at Fort Hood, Texas. He worked in the dairy delivery business delivering milk and ice cream for Lockshore Farms, Detroit Pure Milk, Wesley’s Quaker Maid, and Bareman’s Dairy. In 1988 Rod went to work for the United States Postal Service as a mail handler and retired in 2013. 

Rod accepted the Lord as his Savior on June 15, 1958. He strived to live his life for Christ, leaving a legacy of hard work and service to his church and community. Rod and Pat were members of Bethel Baptist Church of Kalamazoo for 30 years and have been members of Northeastern Baptist Church of Kalamazoo since 2008. Rod served as a Trustee in both churches.

Rod was a charter member of the Kalamazoo Bible League (KBL) men’s basketball program assisting in its organization and serving as director from 1973 through 2023. He also directed the KBL men’s softball league from 1974-79, 86-88, and 91-97. Rod directed the Kalamazoo Church Golf League from 1988 through 2023 and the Kalamazoo Postal Golf League from 1991 through 2023. Rod founded and directed the 15-2 in Kalamazoo Cribbage Club from 2005 through 2023. He attained Gold level, 4,754 Grass Roots Points, 863 Master Rating Points, and was club champion for 14 years. Rod founded and directed the Kalamazoo Euchre Club from 2013 through 2023. Since the 1980s, he organized annual excursions to golf resorts and to the Michigan high school boys’ basketball finals. Rod has also been a Red Cross blood donor since high school, donating 24+ gallons. 

In 1965, Rod and high school friend, Mark Stevens, bought a 1931 Ford Model A for $125. After they worked on it briefly, Rod bought out Mark’s half, and lugged around the “A” as a “someday” project. In 2015, Rod and his friend, Don Seigler, began the restoration and completed the work over the course of five years. Fifty-five years later, he was able to give his friend, Mark, a ride. Rod and Pat became members of the Grape Country Model A Club. 

Rod is survived by his wife, Pat; four children, Angela (Darren) Kanerva of Pinckney, Tina Keeler of Martin, Douglas (Heather) Hovey of Dundee, and Carolyn (Todd) Rhodes of Kalamazoo. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild due in May 2024. Preceding him in death are his parents and sister, Lynda Ryan.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 23rd, from 5 - 8 pm at Langeland Family Funeral Home at 3926 S. 9th Street. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 24th, at 11am at Northeastern Baptist Church, 6536 East G Ave, with a visiting period one hour before the service and a luncheon to follow. He will be laid to rest at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI, with full military honors, on Monday, February 26th at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alternatives of Kalamazoo or Kalamazoo Gospel Mission. Please visit Rod’s memorial webpage to share condolences and memories with his family at http://www.Langelands.com