Rodney Joe Allen, 71, passed away peacefully in the early morning on Jan. 6 in his Blacksburg home after a brief illness.
Rodney was born in Virginia Beach July 5, 1953; he came to Blacksburg in 1971 to study business at Virginia Tech. He met his future wife Janet when he offered to share his umbrella with her before crossing the drillfield. They married in 1976 and raised three boys. Together they owned and operated Blacksburg Power Equipment for 43 years before retiring in 2022. Rodney became Catholic in 2000 and spent numerous hours supporting St. Mary’s Catholic Church on a variety of projects. He loved volunteering and camping with his sons in the Boy Scouts, serving seven years as Scoutmaster of St. Mary’s Troop 706. Rodney especially loved to farm, fish, and relax with his family and grandchildren at his cabin near Dillwyn, Virginia. He was a true friend to so many in the community and will be sorely missed.
Rodney was preceded in death by his father Howard Franklin “Frank” Allen, his mother Reather Mae Dixon Allen, and his older brother Ralph Eugene Allen. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Janet Brown Allen and his sons John Franklin Allen (wife Stephanie, children Emily and Michael), Andrew Joseph Allen (wife Kelsie, son Ryder), and Matthew Paul Allen (wife Tara).
Visitation was held Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 at McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg, and a Funeral Mass was celebrated Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Blacksburg. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Rodney’s name to your favorite charity.
