Rodney Lynn Baxter

Rodney Lynn Baxter, 48, of Burleson, TX passed away Saturday December 25, 2021 in Lee’s Summit MO.  He was born June 6, 1973 at Herington KS, the son of Shareen and Kenneth Baxter.

Rodney was a driven, dedicated, licensed professional engineer. He worked for some of the most recognized companies in the industry. Rodney started his career with Havens Erectors. His dynamic career included significant time with Thornton Tomasetti, Schuff Steel and had recently started (in his words) his “ideal position” with Basden Steel, a top of the line employee owned company located in Burleson, TX. Some of his proudest Keystone projects—Google Bayview, Allegiant Stadium, Apple Parks and Yankee Stadium.

He is survived by his mother, Shareen Baxter of Lee’s Summit, MO; brother, Clint Baxter of Kansas City, MO; brother from a different mother, Lee Wolf and family and numerous relatives and friends.

A memorial will be held on January 29, 2022 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Meadows Community Center at John Knox Village located at 1800 NW O’Brien Road in Lee’s Summit, MO 64081.

Memorials are the donor’s choice or can be sent to Shareen Baxter, 1913 NW Shamrock Ave, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081

Condolences

  1. Lloyd and Suzanne Grisham on December 29, 2021 at 9:36 am

    Shareen and Clint,

    Rodney was a very kind and caring man, and it was a pleasure to have known him. May the wonderful memories you shared help you thru this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both.



  2. Michael S Pennington on December 29, 2021 at 9:50 am

    I had the extreme privilege to have worked for Rodney for 2 years in the Engineering Department at Schuff Steel. During this time he became a dear friend and colleague. We always kept in touch over the years, and I will truly miss our phone conversations, and his infectious laugh. He was always there to offer friendly advice and share a good laugh, and the world will not be the same without him. God’s Speed brother, and until we met again…



  3. DeAnna McCloud on December 29, 2021 at 10:25 am

    Rodney lived in the same apartment building as me when we were both in college. He was always so friendly and helpful. We even went on a trip to Oklahoma to ride four wheelers. Such fond memories!!



  4. Brian Volpe on December 29, 2021 at 10:57 am

    Rodney was a dear friend….one of the best. He is the kind of friend that is hard to come by. Irreplaceable. I will miss the times we were able to get together or just catch up on the phone.

    Heaven is a better place today because he is there. Peace my friend.

    To his family, my deepest and sincere condolences.



  5. Laura Forshey on December 29, 2021 at 11:51 am

    Shareen and Clint-

    I thought of Rodney like a brother-n-law. He was a kind, caring, & loving person. He always had such a great time with our boys. A wonderful person gone to soon; may his memories live on.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.

    Forshey Family (Jenni’s youngest sister)



  6. Suzanne Gower Glass on December 29, 2021 at 12:38 pm

    Rodney only knew me as “Daniel Gower’s mom” having talked with me on the phone once in 2009. He was responsible for encouraging Schuff Steel to hire my son Daniel and move him and his then girlfriend from Kansas to Arizona. I was able to thank Rodney that day on the phone for helping a young Daniel with his career. He obviously was a great mentor to my son.

    We are praying for comfort for his family



  7. Theresa Gutowsky-Drube on December 29, 2021 at 1:13 pm

    Thinking of you during this difficult time.



  8. Donna Nalley on December 29, 2021 at 1:14 pm

    Rodney was such a key force when setting up the TT office in Kansas City. He took on whatever was needed with great energy and drive from putting together desks to getting project photos on the wall. He was unique and special in so many ways and will be missed by many.

    Praying for comfort and peace to Rodney’s family.



  9. Tammie Kickhaefer Roe on December 29, 2021 at 3:01 pm

    Mrs. Baxter and Clint
    Rodney was like a little brother to me in school since Clint had played the role of big brother to me in high school and college. My prayers are with your family at this difficult time.



  10. Sharon (Obermeyer) Murphy on December 29, 2021 at 3:08 pm

    Shareen and Clint, I am so sorry for your loss. While Rodney and I hadn’t been in touch for years, he was such a great friend to me in high school. Thinking of you both during this difficult time.



  11. Lisa Fields on December 29, 2021 at 4:06 pm

    Mrs. Baxter and Clint, I am shocked and saddened by the news of Rodney’s death. You have my deepest sympathy and condolances. I will say a prayer for the healing of your hearts, and strength for perseverance in your time of need.



  12. Angela (Schultz) Albin on December 29, 2021 at 4:20 pm

    I am so sorry to hear of Rodney’s passing. He was a good friend in high school. He was always smiling and fun to be around. I am praying God will give you His never ending comfort and peace during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.



  13. Brian Vanderslice on December 29, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    I am so sorry to hear of Rodneys passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Much love sent your way



  14. Shannon Granzow on December 29, 2021 at 8:14 pm

    Shareen and Clint. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. I am saddened by hearing the passing of Rodney. I have very fond memories of you all being at aunt Bernie’s house for Easter and being a party of her life.



  15. Dawn Wright on December 29, 2021 at 9:18 pm

    Clint,
    I’m so sorry about your brother. May God be with you and family during such a difficult time.



  16. Tom on December 29, 2021 at 9:44 pm

    Shareen and Clint, I am so sorry to hear the sad news of Rodney’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the both of you.
    Tom



  17. Kristy Spicer on December 30, 2021 at 2:17 am

    Mrs Baxter & Clint,
    I’m so very sorry for your loss! Rodney was a good friend in high school. Even though we lost touch I have thought of him often over the years. Heaven has definitely gained an angel.



  18. Richard Baxter on December 30, 2021 at 7:29 am

    Shareen: I am so saddened by the news of the passing of Rodney. Please know that Katie and I have you and your family in our prayers and thoughts at this very difficult time. Dick Baxter



  19. Suzette Baxter Hosier on December 30, 2021 at 8:43 am

    Shareen,
    Buddy and I are so sorry to hear of Rodney’s passing. We are praying for you all.



  20. Jeremy Pierce on December 30, 2021 at 12:23 pm

    I’m in a bit of shock. Rodney was one of the first people I met when I moved to Manhattan. We were friends immediately. Time passed and we didn’t keep in touch once we all started the real world. We had a random encounter at a bar in Hays (completely fitting) and that was the last I’d seen him. Rodney was a great human. Much love, brother. Rest in peace.



  21. John de Ruiter on December 30, 2021 at 2:40 pm

    I am so sad to learn of the passing of Rodney. We had the pleasure of working with Rodney on the Google Bayview Project where he participated and has left his fingerprint on the world. A true professional and a delight to work with. He will surely be missed.



  22. Lynn Opheim, Director of Operations Miscellaneous Steel Divison on December 30, 2021 at 3:08 pm

    I knew Rodney only a short time when he started working at Basden Steel. He was helping our team on several new projects and improvements we have going on. I was fortunate to work with him specifically on one of the expansions we are doing. I really enjoyed working with him and having offbeat conversations as we had similar interests in cars and motorcycles. He was a joy to work with and fun to be around.
    He will be truly missed.
    My prayers and thoughts go out to all of Rodney’s family.



  23. Jim & Metta Rae & family on December 30, 2021 at 3:24 pm

    Sharpen & Clint: We are sending our condolences & prayers at this sad time. May God Bless you & heal your hearts. We have fond memories of your whole family.



  24. Jim & Metta Rae & family on December 30, 2021 at 3:30 pm

    Sharreen & Clint: We are sending our condolences & prayers at this sad time. May God Bless you & heal your hearts. We have fond memories of your whole family.



  25. Jenny (Schlesener) Scott on December 30, 2021 at 7:23 pm

    My heart is broken for you. Although it has been years, I will never forget his infectious smile. You both will be in my thoughts and prayers.



  26. Wayne & Carrie Eden on December 31, 2021 at 4:58 pm

    Shareen & Clint-
    We feel blessed to have known Rodney & have great memories of our time spent with him. He had a smile that would light the room. He’s still smiling, just somewhere else. Our thoughts & prayers are with you both during this difficult time.
    Wayne, Carrie & Amelia



  27. Tim Schlesener on December 31, 2021 at 10:27 pm

    Shareen and Clint,

    God bless. I pray for peace, comfort, and understanding for y’all.



  28. Kay Jacobs on December 31, 2021 at 10:41 pm

    Shareen and Clint,
    I am so sorry for your loss.
    I am so greatful that I got to see him when I was in Texas at Fords.
    He was such a sweet man and I enjoyed my visit with him.
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and Clint.



  29. Brendan and Andrea Austin on January 1, 2022 at 12:49 pm

    Ever since Rodney moved to Arizona, we’ve been blessed to share so many special occasions, holidays, great meals and a million laughs. We are praying for peace, for all his friends and family.
    We pray he spent this Christmas, rejoicing, in Jesus’ presence.
    We are cherishing all our memories, of a wonderful friend.
    Thanks, Rodney.
    Brendan and Andrea



  30. Jamie and AV Plank on January 1, 2022 at 3:50 pm

    Shareen and Clint, we were saddened to hear of the death of Rodney. It immediately brought to mind the young people of his high school years. My heart aches for you and I guess if it had to happen he got to spend time with his mom before. I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you.



  31. Jason Harris on January 2, 2022 at 8:08 am

    So very, very sorry, Shareen and Clint, to hear about this. Hope you can find peace and comfort in knowing Rodney was loved by so many.
    Reading the comments here and on Facebook, it’s wonderful to see the positive impression he made on people daily through simple actions. He leaves a legacy of respect and dignity. Great heart, great person.



  32. Rebecca Stanwood-Kish on January 2, 2022 at 10:24 am

    Sharpen and Clint, my heart goes out to both of you. I have so many happy memories of all of you in Herington. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.
    Hugs,
    Beckie Stanwood-Kish



  33. Delynne Miller Gardner on January 6, 2022 at 12:27 pm

    I am at a loss for words as I just heard about Rodney. I have thought about him several times throughout the years…wondering, but knowing what mark he was leaving on this world. I had no doubt he would do great things! He was such an upbeat guy, and with his adorable, rosy red cheeks…he always had an infectious smile on his face. My heart is very saddened for Shareen, Clint, and all his lifelong friends and colleagues. May you find strength in our heavenly Fathers arms as He wraps them around you. Sending much love and sympathy. ??



  34. Dee Dee Cooper List on January 6, 2022 at 9:10 pm

    Rodney was always such an amazing guy and always a joy to be around in High School. I always knew he was going to accomplish so much!! My thoughts and prayers are with you always.



  35. Dave P. Wright on January 10, 2022 at 8:35 pm

    I’ve been delaying in posting here, as I keep just thinking this can’t be real. I will miss my friend and never forget him. Shareen and Clint, although I have never met you, Rodney spoke of you often and told lots of stories during the time we spent together. Having worked with him for over the past 10+ years, I have so many fun memories. He had an infectious laugh, a huge smile to go with that giant presence, and it was really hard to not to like him! Vaya con dios amigo. Will miss all the laughs on our pre-5am drives to the jobsite, the really long days, and the non-stop supply of IW one-liners! Glad we spent all that time together during the GBV project, and sure made for some lasting memories. Sad that I won’t be able to treat you to any more Cajun bag lunches! Until we meet again my friend…..



  36. Kenneth Finn on January 11, 2022 at 9:15 pm

    I really dont know what to say my brother, as a person you touched my heart and will always have place there always!! I will miss the Thursday Pool and the Sunday Golf which always had too much Bourbon, but also alot of laughs!! Hopefully where you are at now you can just relax and hit the ball and not make everything about the perfect angle and stance?? As a proffessional you were almost always right which drove me nuts, one of the smartest Engineers I had the pleasure to know!! You taught me what was in the mind of an Engineer which at times was kinda scary, but always enjoyed and respected your input. You will be deeply missed and will never be forgotten!!! RIP my brother



  37. Jodi and Ron Peterson on January 13, 2022 at 3:51 pm

    Cousins Shareen and Clint, it’s hard to find the words that best convey the many thoughts of sympathy our hearts would like to say…but may it somehow help to know that we’re thinking of you every day. He was taken to early, but he left so many great memories. Let the good memories fill your mind, warm your heart, and lead you through this time of sadness to a place of peace.



  38. Mike Pastir on February 26, 2022 at 9:47 pm

    To all that knew Rodney,
    We have all lost someone truly unique in this world and I can’t express how devastated I am by our loss.
    He was someone I loved as a brother and respected immensely.
    Someone who challenged me personally and professionally. Someone who cared for me and my family.
    Someone that will never be replaced in my life.
    There are far to few men in the world that compare to him and the world is a poorer place without him.
    He will always be in my thoughts.



  39. Scott Freeby on April 9, 2022 at 9:53 pm

    Dear Shareen and Clint – I just saw this today. I’m so very sorry about Rodney’s passing. I have a memory of Rodney standing in the band room at Herington high. He has a full head of hair and a smile that was positively infectious. He’s helping other kiddos around him decipher the playing directions I had just given. I remember saying “EXACTLY!” (and pointing at him) as Rodney finished helping me get the direction across to the others. He, like all my students, is Eternally in my heart. My love to you and Clint, Scott Freeby



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