Rod Kendall Hill

Rod Kendall Hill, 68, of Denton, Texas, suffered a massive stroke on May 21, 2026, and passed away on May 29, 2026. He was born and grew up in Waco, graduating from Richfield High in 1975. During his childhood, Rod and his siblings enjoyed family vacations in their station wagon every summer. They traveled to many national parks, civil war battlefields, and other historic sites. Rod continued traveling, enjoying adventures and studying history throughout his life. All three of the Hill children had genius level IQs, but Rod's was the highest. He played basketball at McLennan Community College for one year and realized college and indoor white-collar jobs were not for him. For most of his life he worked outdoors, as a surveyor, construction supervisor, internet cable installer, etc. He spent over 20 years working for the city of Denton, retired early, then continued to work for a friend's company, contracting with the highway department to maintain roadside rest stops.

Rod was always physically active and continued to play team sports up to his death. He often was the sponsor and organizer for basketball and softball teams and was excited when these teams frequently won city championships. His sudden death was surprising to all, since he was more fit and active than most of his age group.

In most situations, Rod was the smartest guy in the room and he knew it. He could often be arrogant, obnoxious and contrarian. Satire and rude jokes were fun for him. A lot of this was just a defense mechanism. Like most real Texas men, he didn't want anyone to know that inside he was sentimental and kindhearted. Also, he lacked confidence and sometimes felt intimidated by his sibling's multiple college degrees and professional careers, but he enjoyed having jobs that produced tangible results. He didn't want to be seen as a nerd or intellectual.

Early in life, until age 30, Rod lived a party lifestyle, with lots of substance abuse. Finally, he realized that he was ruining his life, went to rehab, and maintained sobriety for 37 years. During that time, he had many struggles, but became a leader in the recovery community, and helped many others recover from their problems and find a productive lifestyle. This was his life's work. His influence and kindness were far more important than any degree or career. He was always the one who kept in touch with extended family and old friends and tried to arrange family gatherings. For several years, he provided care for an elderly disabled cousin, and he frequently commuted to Waco to help his father until his death in July 2024.

Rod was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Anne Hill, and on April 14, by his older brother Loran. He is survived by his sister Andria Hill, her son Nathaniel (wife Kadi, children Anora, Lily, Moses and Magdalene) his sister-in-law Carol and her son Charles Robert (wife Michelle, children Hailey and Lauren, recent high school graduates). He is also survived by cousins Carol Ann, Susan, Karen, Ginger, Carla and other extended family, and many dear friends, and his daughter of the heart, Kirsti-Rose.

Rod will be celebrated and buried next to his parents in Hillsboro, a town founded by his ancestors over 100 years ago. Services on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 1:30 pm, at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro. Please, no flowers-donate to a charity in his name if you wish. The best way to honor Rod's memory is to have regular medical checkups, write a will, and most of all do kind deeds for others, as he would have done.