Rodney Oliver Symes Jr.

Services will be held at Stewart Family Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Family Visitation is at 12:00 PM. Public Visitation is at 12:30 PM. The Funeral Service is at 1:30 PM with Pastor Joe Canal officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Rose Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Tyler Christian Fellowship, 3421 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler, Texas 75701. Rodney Oliver Symes, Jr. 86 of Tyler was born on March 13, 1939 in Billings, Oklahoma. He passed away on February 20, 2026 in Tyler, Texas. Rodney moved with his family to Colorado soon after he was born and on to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee when he was 4 years old. He graduated from Lee Academy (1957) and Lee College (AA 1959) in Cleveland, Tennessee and The University of Chattanooga (BS 1960). Rodney earned a Master of Education at The University of Illinois (1963) and then an Advanced Certificate in Education Administration (1967). In Illinois he served as a teacher, coach, principal and school district superintendent. Rodney met Joyce Singleton at church, fell deeply in love, married in 1965, and soon had two children. In 1972 they moved to Tyler so Rodney could go into business with his brothers. They created the Symes Corporation that began as a small chain of men’s clothing stores then transitioned to distribution of a variety of products. Rodney and his family attended Tyler Christian Fellowship Church where Rodney served as a Sunday School Teacher, Small Group Leader, Elder and Special Events Dish Washer for 45 years. Rodney dearly loved his wife Joyce and their children, and all their extended family and friends. He had a great since of humor, and a quick wit. He was a fantastic story teller and had a contagious laugh. Rodney enjoyed music. He sang, played the trombone, piano and baritone ukulele. He was a master ping-pong player. Rodney was kind, full of mercy and compassion — a natural mediator and peace maker. He was someone people would easily confide in. He had a gift for encouraging people with timely Godly advice and counsel. He loved studying and discussing the Bible. Rodney’s frequent declaration was to “Always live for the Lord!” which he faithfully did all of his life. Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, Rodney and Helen Symes, his wife of 55 years, Joyce Symes and brother Mac Symes. Rodney is survived by his sister, Jayne Howell of Castle Rock, Colorado and brother John Symes of Tyler. He is also survived by daughter Susan Bohot and her husband Roger of Tyler; son Rodney Symes III and his wife Crystal of Lancaster. Also surviving Rodney are his grandchildren, A1C Aaron Bohot of Osan, South Korea; Nathan, Mary Alice, Noah and Samuel Symes of Lancaster; Audrey Martin and husband Eric of Cedar Hill; Andrew Symes and wife Brie of Waxahachie; Audrey Bohot, Abigail Lowery and husband Bryan and very precious great-granddaughter Anaya Grace Lowery all of Tyler. Pallbearers are Nathan, Andrew, Noah and Samuel Symes; Eric Martin and Bryan Lowery Honorary Pallbearer is Aaron Bohot

Rodney Oliver Symes Jr.

March 13, 1939 - February 20, 2026