Dad, Husband, Pops, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa, Roland “Rod” Neil Means, passed peacefully on Aug. 24, 2026, at the age of 91. 

Rod was born Oct. 8, 1934, to Francis Hobart, Sr. and Edna Marie (Bode) Means on the family farm in Newkirk. 

He was raised and educated in Newkirk, graduating in 1952. While in high school, Rod was involved in the agriculture program showing sheep, pigs and cattle. He achieved the Junior Master Farmer during his senior year.

After graduation, he began working in a packing house in Ark City, Kan.

Rod then entered the United States Army, serving his country from January 1954 to October 1955.

He married Suzanne in 1955 and to this union three children were born: Cindy, Brant and Bruce.

In July 1972, he married Gay and gained seven children: Suzanne, Sally, James, Sandra, John, Sara and Andy.

He worked in the oilfield for over 58 years as a tool pusher and contact man for oil rigs, worked for Calvert Exploration as a pumper and later moved to Woodward where he opened and operated an oilfield supply company.

In 1970, Rod returned to Hennessey to Kirkpatrick Oilfield Supply store as the used equipment manager.

From 1976 to 1982, he operated Rodco Sales and then continued working in the oilfield industry for Dollar Trucking Company until his retirement in 2014.

While working there, he also co-founded the Family Café in downtown Hennessey.

On Jan. 1, 2006, Rod was united in marriage to Ramona Dennis Paine in the Waukomis Methodist Church.

The wedding began on Dec. 31, 2005, and concluded after midnight on the 1st.

After his retirement, he worked part-time for a farmer in the Lacey-Ames area, also attending to his own cattle in the Lacey area.

He enjoyed seeing baby calves running around the pasture in the fall and spring. He managed a cow/ calf operation of over 100.

One of the highlights of his life was when he and his son, Andy, attended the Oklahoma Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., where the group toured the Korean and other war monuments in 2015. He was a member of the Hennessey United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir. Rod was a part of the Pat Hennessey Celebration as a gunfighter and was also honored as a grand marshall and always in charge of selling Pat Hennessey belt buckles.

Horses and the Hennessey Roundup Club were his passion. He served many years as president of the club and enjoyed trail riding in the Kiamichi Mountains of Oklahoma.

Surviving family includes his wife, Ramona, and children Cindy (Ronnie) Kerby, Brant (Deedra) Means, Bruce Means, Andy (Lynn) Means, Sally (Wayne Crump) Witzke, Sara (Trey) Fisher, John (Shelly) Streck and James (Trish) Streck. He is also survived by four granddaughters and two grandsons, as well as numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, two sisters, four brothers, stepdaughters Suzanne Choate and Sandra Hardin, as well as one grandson and one granddaughter. Also, two forever fur friends (Little Lady, a Tibetan Spaniel, and Maddie, a white longhair cat).

We know that he will be welcomed into heaven as one of God’s good and faithful servants.

A celebration of life service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Hennessey at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19.

A dinner will be held for family and friends in the Family Life Center from 4 to 6 p.m. to share memories, celebrate his life and honor the love he gave so freely.

The services will be live streamed via Facebook at Hennessey First United Methodist Church.

Per his wishes, Rod will be cremated with a viewing at Brown-Cummings Funeral Home scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26. The cremains will be buried at a later date in the Brumfield Cemetery in Seiling, with a military foot stone noting his military duty being placed at the foot of his grave.

Memorial contributions in Rod’s name may be made to the ESA Foundation to the Ramona Paine and Rod Means Scholarship Fund. Contribution can be sent to 2580 E. Harmony Road, Suite #301-11, Fort Collins, CO 80528.