Message from Sandra Creamer

We just made contact in January, as in my family research, I discovered that Rodney was my great half uncle. My father and Rodney were half brothers. I will miss our conversations. It was a blessing to have known him.

A candle was lit by Sandra Creamer on October 23, 2017 7:17 AM

A candle was lit by Gary & Vicky on September 13, 2017 1:38 PM

Message from Vicky

To Rod's Family: what a pleasure it was to have known Rod & Helen. We will certainly miss Him. Such a knowledgeable and generous man.

Message from Lynne Provine

Mr. Storey was a wonderful principal. I enjoyed my years of working with him at Bob Sikes. I remember the big kids telling the little ones that if they got sent to the office, Mr. Storey had an electric paddle, and if he used it, it would "paddle you slam to death!" 😊 My condolences to the family. R.I.P. Rod Storey.

A candle was lit by Thank you for your kindness and insperation. We love you! on September 7, 2017 10:26 AM

Message from Tammi Greene Hudson

I remember Mr. Storey with great fondness during my Bob Sikes years. He was fair but kind and understanding. I'm sending prayers of comfort and peace for his family and friends left behind.

A candle was lit by Tammi Greene Hudson on September 7, 2017 2:17 AM

A candle was lit by Patty Fowler on September 7, 2017 12:25 AM

Message from Patty Fowler

Dear, dear Uncle Rod! While I didn't get to see him near as much as I would have liked to, memories of him and Aunt Helen are dear to me. Uncle Rod was a gentle soul, large in heart and stature. I felt safe around him. I felt warm and happy when around him. He was quite, thoughtful and kind. He was smart, funny and loving. I'm who I am because of all of my family and I especially love that who his is, is a part of me. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for enriching all of our lives!

Love Always,
Patty

Message from Carole Guy

Mr. Storey was the principal at Bob Sikes School when my daughter was in elementary school. I remember him well. as I worked as a school volunteer. He was much appreciated.

A candle was lit by Ellen (storey) wymer on September 6, 2017 5:21 PM

Message from Ellen (storey) wymer

Rodney was my uncle. I have alot of fun memories of him as we growing up loved to go visit them. One of my best memories was when my dad was trying to ski behind a boat not be enough to pull him up uncle rodney laughed so hard he broke a rib. Loved it when he smoked his pipe love the smell oh his Tabacco. .love u uncle rodney and well miss u .

A candle was lit by Steve and Rosie Curtis on September 6, 2017 4:41 PM

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Rod and Helen were our next door neighbors. Steve and I were so fortunate to have met them and had a lasting friendship. Rod loved to play the harmonica and he did it beautifully. It always brought tears to my eyes when he played. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy for your loss.

Message from Linda and Dave Kuhl

Our sympathy goes all to all of Rod's family. Dave and I cannot express how much Rod meant to us. We always say that we didn't just buy a lake house, we got fabulous friends with Rod and Helen. We will treasure the many conversations and memories that we have of both of them. We are so sorry that we are not going to travel to Kansas for the funeral. I so wish we could be there to share our memories with all of you. God Bless

Message from Darcel Coleman

I had the pleasure of him being my principle at Bob Dikes Elementary School, he was awesome, none like him, sorry for such a great loss

A candle was lit by Paula Fulford on September 6, 2017 11:18 AM

A candle was lit by Chris Seymour Salmons on September 6, 2017 8:57 AM

A candle was lit by Angela Campbell Hill on September 6, 2017 8:13 AM

A candle was lit by Linda Patterson Broshear on September 6, 2017 7:41 AM

A candle was lit by Charlotte Ray Cahn on September 6, 2017 7:29 AM

A candle was lit by Carla Owens on September 6, 2017 7:11 AM

Message from MC

I remember him from my days at Bob Sikes in Florida. He was a great principal. Always a great person, very understanding.

A candle was lit by Ellen Tatom Nowling on September 6, 2017 5:35 AM

A candle was lit by Donna Kay Simpler on September 6, 2017 4:47 AM

Message from Patti Mitchell

I had the privilege of working at Bob Sikes Elementary School from 1982-1998 under the leadership of this incredible man. Rodney Storey allowed me to come home to my dear parents and my sweet Crestview, FL when he hired me to replace my own childhood music teacher and idol, Polly Clemmons, upon her retirement, as Bob Sikes' 2nd ever Music Specialist!! The years spent under his guidance are some of my very happiest teaching memories. I made "forever" friends of many faculty peers as well as later friends with some of my former students during those years. Mr. Storey was a dear and precious soul!! He was a "gentle giant"! He so seldom spoke, he emitted a beautiful characteristic of shyness that's not a common trait among any kind of leader to include the successful principal of Okaloosa County's most largely populated Elementary school during that time. We were truly bursting at the seams.(Our facility was not nearly large enough to accommodate our student enrollment and all our special area instruction. But, he made it all work!!!! And we still enjoyed coming to work everyday! He led by example not with a "noose"! He never questioned your "teacher decisions" but his door was ALWAYS OPEN for help and guidance! He always had our backs!!! We never doubted would always support us!!! He would gently nudge you in the right direction if you were doubting yourself regarding things you were doing, your effectiveness, and discipline concerns with "certain" students you just didn't seem to be reaching in the way you'd like! I didn't realize his first wife, Helen Storey had predeceased him. I so well remember her calling me at home early one evening just to tell me how very much "Rod" appreciated all I with the children at Bob Sikes. I had never questioned that he did because he always had that sensational smile, only belonging to him, directed at me when I would pass him on the corridors---and, he NEVER, EVER yelled at me (or anyone else that I know of!!!!) Helen went on say that "Rod" had never been overly demonstrative of his feelings and was not one to overly praise someone for their work. (So, if he didn't yell at you, that meant he liked you, right???). Helen ended by telling me that she had first hand knowledge of how much he had always appreciated me and my work with the children. Wasn't that such a kind thing to do? She knew his weakness and that's where she spoke for him. She was a marvelous principal's wife and a remarkable woman in her own right. I'm so happy to read that he found "new ❤️ love" after her passing and lived a completely fulfilled life! We all loved him so!! And the children---oh, how they all adored Mr. Storey. At the end of the school year, on the very last morning, in the smoldering Florida sunshine, the entire school body would gather on the front lawn of the school---families included---and the grade levels would take turns singing some peppy songs for one another and their families.(that's a whole heap of of kids to move about quickly and logistically without incident!!!! Have I mentioned how well he navigated us to always work together as a learning community!! No I in TEAM!!! I always called that horrible singing debacle, "The Brawl". Anyway, at the end of every Brawl I'd blast Randy Travis' hitsong ""Forever and Ever, Amen" through the sound system. Watch for it--- here it comes--- that wonderful Rodney Storey smile we all love so much!!!(He hated that song!) But we would all sing it to him with our hearts soaring full of love for the man who had "raised us all", yet another year!! Until next time, Mr. Storey, 🎶we're gonna love you forever, forever and ever A-A-A-men❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️🎶🎶🎶

A candle was lit by Patti Mitchell on September 5, 2017 11:31 PM

Message from Darlene Simpler Soules

I have fond memories of Mr. Storey all throughout elementary school at Bob Sikes Elementary in Crestview, Fl . I'll never forget the last day of 6th grade when he came around to all the classes to say goodbye to all of us !! My thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you ! May God bless you all in the coming days, weeks and months . Darlene Simpler Soules

A candle was lit by Darlene Simpler Soules on September 5, 2017 10:34 PM