Rod L. Shada, 71, of Grand Island succumbed to the ravages of pancreatic cancer and left his earthly home to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, June 25, 2017. With the help of friends and loving family members, he was able to penetrate numerous lines of this dreaded disease … particularly notable was the uncompromising care given to him by his wife, Marcia.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Grand Island. The Rev. Bill Schroeder will officiate and eulogist will be Daniel Naranjo. His procession to the Grand Island Cemetery will be led by a Corvette procession.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the church. All Faiths Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

“Do not go gentle into that good night. Old age should burn and rave at close of day; rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

— Welsh poet Dylan Thomas

Rod was born Oct. 19, 1945, in Fremont to George and Evelyn Shada. He spent his youth and young adulthood growing up in Fremont. He graduated from Fremont High School in 1963. While in high school, he was an outstanding athlete, earning All-State Honors in both football and wrestling.

After high school, he attended Midland College in Fremont, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1967. While at Midland, he captained the wrestling team for four years. He impressively won 95 percent of his matches. Many victories were conference and invitational tournament championships. He also was the editor of Midland’s yearbook his senior year.

After college graduation, Rod accepted a position with the Grand Island Public School System. He remained at Grand Island Senior High for the next 39 years, 10 years as an English teacher and 29 years as a guidance counselor. He was the head wrestling coach from 1967 to 1980. His 1973 team won the Class A State Wrestling Championship.

When he wasn’t coaching, he lent his talents as a wrestling referee for more than 40 years. Throughout his life and career in education, Mr. Shada impacted many lives. He lived his life with passion and appreciation of others. His greatest treasures were faith, family and friends. “I love my life. I can’t thank my Lord enough for my blessings. It’s hard to leave something so good … like leaving a banana split in the middle of it.”

For more than 50 years he owned and operated a painting business during the summers. He worked alongside his son, Jeremy. He was an active member of the South Central Corvette Club; over the years he owned several Corvettes, highlighted by his 1957 cascade green convertible.

Rod was inducted into the Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1984, and the Grand Island Senior High Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2015, he was chosen as a Legendary Educator for the Grand Island Public Schools System. He earned his Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Kearney State College in 1972.

Rod is survived by his wife, Marcia; his children and their spouses Nicole and Craig Pruitt of Middletown, R.I., Damon and Stacy Shada and Brandon and Shannon Shada, all of Grand Island, J.R. and Gyna McFarland of Columbus, Jeremy and Heather McFarland and Danielle and Sean Bramble of Grand Island; grandchildren, Caleb, Makayla, Kaden, Kanyon, Brendon, Karsen, Gaven, Jaden, Jakson, Madison, Kennedy, Bodakai, Cash, Isabella, and great-grandson Easton; his sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Keith Bradsby of Houston, Texas; along with numerous extended family, past students and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant granddaughter, Reagan Ann.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established in memory of Rod.

“One day we were born, one day we shall die, the same day, the same second … birth astride of a grave, the light gleams an instant, then it’s night once more.”

— British poet Samuel Beckett

Online condolences may be sent to www.giallfaiths.com.

Published in the Grand Island Independent on June 27, 2017.