Philip Rodney “Rod” Ernst

A celebration of life for Philip Rodney “Rod” Ernst, 84, Lawrence will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 29, 2018 at First United Methodist Church. There will be a private family military graveside service at Memorial Park Cemetery. Rod passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.

He was born December 10, 1933 in Lawrence, KS the son of Philip and Edna (Schaake) Ernst. They preceded him in death.

Rod was an avid bowler, bridge and poker player, and loved Kansas Jayhawks sports, particularly football and basketball, having season tickets to both. Rod had very eclectic tastes in music; he was passionate about all kinds of jazz; enjoyed classical, the Great American Songbook, classic country, roots music, and the occasional rock group like R.E.M. He had a wide range in literary interests from philosophy and ancient history, to biographies to classic spy thrillers. Rod had a thirst for knowledge; he often had several books opened at once. Until he was slowed in his later years, he enjoyed traveling, taking trips with his wife and family, and he looked forward to family reunions. Mostly, he loved his hardware store, and most of all, he loved his family.

Rod received his BS in Geology from the University of Kansas in 1957. He served his country in the United States Army from 1957-1959, and was a reservist from 1959-1963.

He owned and operated Ernst & Son Hardware store in Lawrence, a third-generation business, which originally began as Kennedy & Ernst in 1905, and become Ernst & Son in 1925.

He married Shirley Ann Dodson on August 23, 1976 in Eureka Springs, AR. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include his daughter, Lynda (Gary) Allen, Lawrence, Michael (Felicia) Miller, Overland Park, KS, Lisa Roth, Lee’s Summit, MO, Rebecca (Tim) King, Wichita, KS; cousins John McGrew and Patti McGrew, Lawrence; eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

The family will greet friends from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 28, 2018 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

Memorial Contributions may be made in his name to Penn House or VNA Hospice and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.