Biography of Rowdy Rod L. Rafferty

Rowdy Rod L Rafferty of Goehner, Nebraska, the son of Lyle and Ella (Baker) Rafferty, was born on July 1, 1950 in Concordia, Kansas. He passed away on March 1, 2019 at the Omaha VA Medical Center at Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 68 years.

He was raised in Mankato, Kansas and graduated with the class of 1968. During high school he enjoyed playing drums with the local band. After graduation Rod enlisted in the United States Army at age 19 on April 17, 1970. He served in Vietnam for one year. Receiving an honorable discharge; he returned to Jewell County where he worked for Young and Cooper Trucking Company, and Dubuque Packing Company. He then moved to Columbus, Nebraska to work for Land of Lakes for several years.

Rowdy became on OTR driver for Seward Motor Freight Company and later leased on with Crete Carriers, retiring in 2004.

He was preceded in death by his father Lyle E. Rafferty, brother Marty Shane Rafferty, paternal grandparents Peter John Rafferty and Martha Grace Clemons Rafferty Marshall; maternal grandparents Reuben L. Baker and Virginia L. Baker; step grandfather George Eli Marshall, brother-in-law Forrest Wayne Dewey.

He leaves to mourn his mother Ella Rae Rafferty of Beloit, Kansas; three sisters Lynda (Lyne) Dewey of Mankato, Kansas; Rhonda Rae Rafferty of Barnard, Kansas; and Jami Underwood of Jewell, Kansas. Nephews: Steven Michael Rafferty of Clarks, Nebraska, Jon Wayne Hajny (Sadie Hayden) of Jewell, Kansas, and Waude Lyle Underwood of Lewis, Kansas. Great nephews: Merritt Blain of Cawker City, Kansas, Bailey Dean Hajny and Cameron Wayne Hajny of Jewell, Kansas. Nieces: Shawna Lyne Blain (Lenny) of Cawker City, Kansas, Tisha Renae Dewey of Superior, Nebraska, Jaci Dewey of Overland Park, Kansas, Jasmin Grace Dauner (Tanner) of Salina, Kansas, Jayde Blain of Cawker City, Kansas and Alyssa Sue Hajny of Jewell, Kansas. Great nephew: William Kellan Dauner of Salina, Kansas; many friends, cousins, and lifetime cherished Vietnam Brothers.

Medals awarded to Rowdy are Bronze Star Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon W/Device (1960); Expert Badge with Grenade Bar; and the Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar.

Cremation was chosen with burial July 1, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Veterans Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska.

Memorials are suggested to Emory Clemons American Legion Post in Burr Oak, Kansas 66949

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.