Rodney William Gaston

Rodney William Gaston, 33, Topeka KS, passed away March 3rd, 2019. Rodney was born in Topeka, Kansas on February 23rd, 1986 to Rodney W. Gaston and Annette Eakes. Rodney is survived by parents Annette Eakes, Thomas Kelly, and Trina Gaston, siblings Hillary, Pamela, Bryan, Kaitlyn, and Mackenzie, and his grandparents Joseph Eakes, William & Geraldine Gaston, and Hal & Karen Dunn. Rodney is proceeded in death by his father Rodney Gaston and Grandmother Marian Eakes. Rodney's Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 pm, Saturday, March 9, at 1200 SW Executive Dr., Topeka, KS 66615.

Anyone who knows Rodney understands that he was a fierce and relentless warrior. His fight started on December 3, 1990 when, at the age of 4, Rodney was the first pediatric open heart surgery in Topeka, KS.  Over the next twenty-nine years he faced three additional open heart surgeries and a multitude of health issues. Through it all Rodney always had a smile on his face, teasing anyone who walked in his room, and always strove to improve the day of everyone around him in whatever way he could.  Rodney's heart may have been structurally weak but it was always full of love and it was largely through his resilient will alone that he was able to stay with us all of these years. He loved cars, heavy machinery, being a shithead, practical jokes, educating new nurses about his unique case, a good party, and, above all, his family. For Rodney, blood wasn't the only way to define a family and there are many of you that he considered as such. He would fight as fiercely for his friends & family as he did against his health and his love was a remarkable gift that we all will treasure for a lifetime. One of Rodney's favorite things to do was to be with friends and family, telling stories of his practical jokes, mishaps, or all the other wild things we experienced with Rodney. To honor Rodney, his family has requested that you share any photos, videos and/or your favorite memories by emailing them to rodneypixandstories@fastmail.com. If you feel comfortable with the story being shared at his celebration, please make a note in the e-mail. If you are comfortable with the story being shared but are not comfortable sharing it yourself, please let us know and we will have a family member share your story for you.

On Saturday, March 9th, 2019 at 3:00 pm, Rodney's family will receive and greet guests for Rodney's Celebration of Life. At 4:30 pm, Rodney's obituary, authored by Chad Michel Logan, will be read. Following the reading of the obituary, the family will invite attendees to share any memories or stories they cherish. At the conclusion of our reminiscing, the family invites you to enjoy Rodney's favorite foods and drinks.

Attire for the event: anything Chiefs, the color blue, or KSU as these were his favorite things. Yes, I know he is rolling his eyes at me for including an "event attire" section. Memorial donations can made at https://www.gofundme.com/rodney-gaston-memorial-fund or checks can be made out to Hillary Lolley c/o Rodney Gaston and sent to P.O. Box 8537 Topeka KS, 66608.