Rodney Gray Burke, age 66, of Cincinnati, Ohio passed away after a long battle with cancer on Saturday, October 12, 2024. Rodney was the fourth child of Harold and Roberta Burke, born on July 24, 1958.
Rodney was born deaf and started losing his vision at 17. Rod went to Oral School in St. Louis staying with his Aunt Ethel and Uncle Melvin. Rod returned to West Virginia to graduate from Nitro High School. While attending Cincinnati Bible College, Rod met the love of his life, Brenda, marrying her April 14, 1981. Rod went on to obtain his Masters from Louisville Bible College.
Rodney spent time preaching at Boulevard Church of Christ, Kingsway Christian Church, Hands of Love, and finally retiring from Church of Christ of the deaf after serving 23 years before retiring.
Rodney was a co-founder of NCCD, founder of the Deaf-blind Ministries, enjoyed deaf Christian conventions, men’s retreats, deaf Christian camps, his wife of 43 years, family and friends.
Rodney is survived by his loving wife Brenda (Kelch); children – Darlene and Shayne Gehring and Martin Burke and Katie Massengale-Burke; grandchildren- Matthew, Savannah, Jaxson, Eloise and John; stepmother – Kathleen Burke; siblings – Connie (Charlie) Smith-Baylor, Nannette (Bill) Hartman, Mark (Vicki) Burke, many nieces, nephews, partitioners, friends and extended family.
Visitation will be 10:30am-12:00pm on October 19, 2024 at Western Hills Church of Christ. Services to follow, officiated by Brian Eubanks.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christ’s Church of the Deaf.
Western Hills Church of Christ, 5063 Sidney Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45238
Please feel free to leave a memory or message of comfort for Rodney’s family in the online guestbook. Arrangements are being handled by Meyers Funeral Home in Batesville, Indiana.