Rodney J. Fugate, 80, of Huntsville, AL, passed away Sunday. He was born March 5, 1933 in Palisade, Nebraska to Ersa and Viola Ruettimann Fugate. Mr. Fugate attended Hartley Elementary, Whittier Junior High School and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1951. Mr. Fugate received his undergraduate degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1955 and graduated with an MS degree from the University of Southern California. He was employed for 40 years by McDonnell-Douglas (Boeing) Aircraft Company where he retired in 1996. Mr. Fugate was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Bonnie Belle; brother Forrest Neal Fugate; and first wife, Marylou Ellen Sizemore Fugate.

Mr. Fugate is survived by his wife, Shirley Ann Norton-Michel Fugate; three children: Rodrick Jacob Fugate (Jaime) of Black Forest, CO, Rhonda Jean Dwyer (Richard) of Elgin, IL and Robert Fugate of Huntsville; ten grandchildren: Robert Preston, James Ryan and Christopher Jacob Fugate of Black Forest, CO, Rachel Elizabeth and Reagan Grace Dwyer of Elgin, IL, Amanda Lynn Lambert, Sara Sharp, Mary Claire, Robert Davis, and Hayes Leland Fugate of Huntsville; one great-granddaughter, Blakely French; two step-children: Mark Edward Michel (Cyndi) of Divide, CO and Elizabeth Ann Bensel (Karl) of Phoenix, AZ; four step-grandchildren: Phillip Gregory Michel (Christy) of Lincoln, NE, Erika Leigh Maine (Josh) of Woodland Park, CO, Kari Ann Bensel and Karl Edward Bensel of Phoenix, AZ; and six step-great-grandchildren: Logan Gregory and Kellen Joseph Michel of Lincoln, NE, Caleb Jonathan and Kaitlyn Ann Maine of Woodland Park, CO, Kourtney Elizabeth and Brooklyn Danielle Bensel of Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of North Alabama.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at Berryhill Funeral Home.