Rodney Allen Delano

Rodney Allen Delano, 78, of Choctaw, Oklahoma, passed peacefully on May 14, 2026, at his granddaughter Lauren Noel Delano’s home in Arlington, Texas, surrounded by family. He was born December 30, 1947, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, to Frederick D. Delano and Emagene Walker Delano and spent his childhood in Oklahoma City, where he completed elementary school at Millwood. Rod graduated from Northeast High School with the Class of 1966 and was voted “Most Likely to Succeed.”

Rod married Cheri Coates on March 28, 1966, and began studies at Central State University in Edmond. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from CSU in 1970. Right out of college, he worked for the Water Resources Board and also he served in the Army Reserve, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant and receiving an honorable discharge.

Rod’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Delco Construction Company, Inc., where he served as CEO for 23 years. During this time he and Cheri were blessed with two children, Holly and Ryan Delano. Rod and Cheri were married for 21 years, and in 1976 they moved to Edmond and opened a salon together. An avid outdoorsman, Rod purchased 200 acres in Camargo, Oklahoma, where he loved hunting, fishing, and enjoying quiet moments outdoors in God’s creation.

On June 4, 1993, Rod married Jeanette Leigh Conyers, and in 1997 the two made their home on their Camargo farm for 21 years. During that period Rod gave his heart to the Lord and devoted himself to studying Scripture. They joined the Leedey United Methodist Church and after 14 wonderful years of membership, in 2013 they transferred to the Mutual Christian Church where they remained until 2018. While living in western Oklahoma, Rod worked driving tankers, and before retiring he worked at Shaw Funeral Home in Vici, Oklahoma.

In 2018, Rod and Jeanette moved to Choctaw to live in his mother’s home, where Rod lovingly cared for his mother during the last six years of her life. While living there, he became a member of First Baptist Church Choctaw, where he was a loyal member for the last eight years.

Rodney was a remarkable man. He was intelligent, hardworking, and deeply talented. Known for his sharp analytical mind, he also had a passion for building and refinishing furniture and took immense pride in working with his hands.

Above all, Rodney loved the Lord and devoted himself to pursuing the deeper truths of God’s Word. His faith was the foundation of his life; he cherished the promise of “the hope of glory” and the call to walk faithfully with the Lord. Scriptures he held dear include Ephesians 1:15–21; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Romans 8:14–25; Colossians 1:23–27; Revelation 20:6; and Ephesians 6:18–20.

Rodney was preceded in death by his wife Jeanette L. Delano; his parents, Frederick D. and Emagene W. Delano; and grandparents Earnest V. and Althea Walker and John C. and Eula Delano.

He is survived by his daughter Holly D. Delano of California; son Ryan C. Delano of Edmond, Oklahoma; granddaughter Lauren Noel Delano and husband JP Aguirre Romero of Arlington, Texas; granddaughter Hope R. Bugbee of Edmond, Oklahoma; brother Joel D. Delano of Choctaw, Oklahoma; sisters Linda S. Delano of Claremore, Oklahoma and Jana V. Delano of Yukon, Oklahoma; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

We invite family and friends to join us in remembering Rodney’s life, faith, and the love he shared.

Memorial contributions may be made to the
 Choctaw First Baptist Church 
c/o Shaw Funeral Home
 P.O. Box 276
Vici, OK 73859.