Rodney (Rod) Rees Warner, age 79, passed away on July 9, 2015, in Sarasota, Florida, surrounded by his family. Rod was born on October 19, 1935, near Harrisonville, Ohio, to Earl (Jack) and Rachel Warner.
Rod was a proud Jackson Ironman, graduating Jackson High School in 1953. He returned to Jackson frequently, and was inducted into the Jackson High School Hall of Honor in 1993.
Rod earned a B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1957 and an M.A. in Business/Electronic Media from Ohio State University in 1961. Rod served as an Information Officer (Captain) in the United States Air Force after college.
Rod’s media career began in 1952 at WKOV, Wellston, Ohio, and WLMJ, Jackson. He became general manager of the Ohio Wesleyan University radio station and an announcer at WBNS Radio, Columbus. In 1962, Rod joined the management of WLW-C (now WCMH) TV NBC Channel 4, Columbus. In 1970, he came to WJW-TV CBS Channel 8, Cleveland, where he served as Advertising and Promotion Manager.
In 1976, Rod was recruited to become vice president of Storer Communication’s cable division, which brought him to Sarasota, Florida. Forming his own company, The R Corp, in 1981, he began investing and consulting in electronic media. Separately, he founded Wireless Cable of Florida, and was later president of Wireless Telecommunications, Inc.
In 2005, Rod was inducted into the cable industry’s “Cable TV Pioneers” honorary for “outstanding contributions to the development of the cable industry.” His media activity included the founding board of C-SPAN, cable’s public affairs channel.
Known around Sarasota as “Mr. Roundabout,” Rod served on the Citizen Advisory Committee to the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization. A passionate proponent of roundabouts and pedestrian-oriented intersection design, Rod was a frequent speaker to community groups and transportation conferences, and was recognized by the Federal Highway Administration for his citizen-driven work in this area.
Rod was active at First United Methodist Church in downtown Sarasota, where he served as the Communications Liaison and assisted in the recent sanctuary renovation. He was a member of the church choir, read scripture on Sunday mornings, and performed in church plays. Rod was proud of his Welsh heritage and appreciated music and the arts. He loved singing, reciting poetry, and playing his piano and clarinet. A resident of Sarasota for 38 years, he enjoyed sailing, swimming, and tending to his “Florida Friendly” yard.
Rod met his wife, Victoria (Marsh) Warner of New Philadelphia, Ohio, at Ohio Wesleyan University, and they were happily married for 55 years. He is survived by his wife Victoria and his daughters, Melissa Warner Mueller and Amanda Warner of Sarasota, Florida, and his son Tyson Rees Warner, daughter-in-law Mary Warner, and granddaughter Bryn Rees Warner of Valparaiso, Indiana. He is also survived by his brothers, David Warner of Harrisonville, Ohio, and Dallas Warner of Albany, Ohio. Rod was preceded in death by his father, Earl (Jack) Warner and mother, Rachel Warner of Jackson, Ohio.
The viewing and visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2015, at Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home, 28 Harding Avenue, Jackson, OH 45640. The funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2015, at Christ United Methodist Church, 150 Portsmouth Street, Jackson, OH 45640. Burial will follow at Fairmount Cemetery. In addition, a memorial service will be held at a future date at the First United Methodist Church in downtown Sarasota. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillumfuneralhomes.com