Mr. Rod C. Hastings

Rod C. Hastings passed away Monday, August 11, 2014. Rod was born February 22, 1938 to Clarence Olin Hastings and Oleta "Florence" Dawson Hastings in Roscoe, TX. He grew up in Roscoe and graduated from Roscoe High School where he was a track, basketball and football star. He attended Hardin Simmons University in Abilene where he majored in chemistry. After graduation, he worked for scientific companies as a sales representative and regional sales manager and then was Regional Vice President for Gannet Publishing. On May 22, 1971, he married his soul mate, Shirley Welch, in Duke, OK. Their busy careers moved them to Albuquerque, Denver, Oklahoma City, Guthrie and Stillwater, OK, Starkville, MS, and Knoxville. They had one child, William "Brent" Hastings, who suddenly died a few weeks before his first birthday on December 17, 1985. In time, Rod and Shirley turned the tremendous loss into a passion to anonymously provide a generous Christmas for children in need. A Renaissance man, Rod was a self taught expert on antiquities and collectibles, particularly tableware from rare fine china to depression glass. An accomplished artist in his own right, he was very knowledgable about fine and primitive artwork. Rod's love for history evolved into the antique business. He and Shirley enjoyed attending auctions where Rod often found rare pieces at a great price because of his knowledge. He turned his hobby into a business, sometimes buying entire estates and owning three antique stores. He used technology to make terrific buys and sales on the internet. An avid college sports fan, he knew all the details about his favorite teams--OSU Cowboys, MSU Bulldogs, Clemson Tigers and UT Volunteers. His love for the Vols, including the Lady Vols, was apparent as his UT Christmas tree grew. What started as a small 2-foot tree became an 8-foot sight to be behold, as he collected, and friends gave him, ornaments. The UT tree was one of 20-something interior trees that adorned their home during the holidays, with Rod continually dreaming up themes for the next new one. Rod had a wonderful and unique sense of humor that made you think. Kind and generous, he and Shirley arrived for Welch family Christmases in the red sleigh with way too many "daily" and "bonus" gifts, that always included some inside joke gifts. They quietly supported many charities. A spiritual man, Rod was a member of the United Methodist Church and attended Central Baptist Church of Bearden in Knoxville with Shirley. He is preceded in death by his parents, his precious Brent and in-laws A.R. and Ardella Welch. He is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley sister Beth May (Jack) of Roscoe, TX, cousin Maurice Hastings of Anderson, SC, as well as brother-in-law Robert (Becky) of Altus, OK, sisters-in-law Linda Ablard (Gary) of Atlanta, Brenda Yazel (Mark) of Grand Lake, OK, Peggy Fenderson (John) of Stillwater, OK and nephew Travis Fenderson, nieces Megan Yazel Janda, Monica Yazel Frieden, Amanda Fenderson Grove, Katrina Welch Hasty, Michelle Coe, Randy May and Gayla May Maher, as well as great nephews and nieces. Visitation will be held Wednesday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel from 4 to 6 p.m. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the First Baptist Church in Russell, OK. Rod will be laid to rest in the Russell Cemetery next to Brent. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Russell Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 313, Duke, Ok 73532 or St. Jude's Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN.

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Mr. Rod C. Hastings

February 22, 1938 - August 11, 2014