Rodney Joe Kurth

Rodney Joe Kurth, age 55 of Sarasota, Florida and former Bogard, Missouri resident, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 20, 2019, in Sarasota, due to natural causes. 

 

Rodney was the son of Stan Lynn and Dottie Marie (Arnold) Kurth, born on September 1, 1964, in Sedalia, Missouri. He attended school in Bogard and Carrollton.  Rodney attended college at Central Missouri State University (now UCM) in Warrensburg, and later graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Marketing. Rodney was a member of Bogard Baptist Church. He enjoyed being outdoors and as a youngster, would go out in the field and take in all of what God had created. He truly loved all animals so after there had been a storm, he would retrieve small animals, nurture and release them. After he moved to Florida in 1986, his family knew he would never move back to Missouri, as he found great peace being surrounded by the beauty of the ocean, and the warmer weather. Rodney liked the water, whether he was swimming, snorkeling, fishing, or boating, it really didn't matter as long as he could be outside and soak up the sun. Throughout his lifetime he had an entrepreneurial spirit about him, which is why as a young adult he was successful with buying and selling cars. Later, he ventured into owning, refurbishing, and managing rental properties. These experiences led to his most recent position as a Real Estate Service Director. Rodney was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He liked deer hunting, however wild boar hunting was one of his favorite pastimes and a challenge. His family recalls that on his visits home, he would always bring fresh seafood, but one of the most memorable times was when he brought a boar shoulder home with him on the plane! He was great at barbecuing and couldn't wait to prepare his wild game, along with some of his other favorite dishes.    

 

Rodney is survived by his mother, Dottie Kurth of Carrollton, Missouri; his sister, Jalana Schmelzle and husband Gary of Lenexa, Kansas; one niece, Breanna Schmelzle; one step-niece, Annabelle Schmelzle; and two step-nephews, Austin and Alex Schmelzle.

 

He was preceded in death by his father, Stan Kurth; and his grandparents. 

 

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2020, at Your Traditions Funeral Chapel, 2118 Constitution Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida.

 

After the visitation, Rodney will be cremated and then buried at sea, which was his request.

 

For those who would like to make a memorial contribution, the family respectfully requests they be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, Carrollton, Missouri. They may be left at or mailed to Bittiker Funeral Home, P.O. Box 223, Carrollton, Missouri, 64633.

 

Please share your condolences with the family by visiting www.bittikerfuneralhomes.com or www.yourtraditionsfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary link.