Sept. 3, 1947 – Feb. 27, 2025

Rod Bearden died quietly on the morning of Feb. 27, free of pain and surrounded by family.

The oldest of four children born to Louise and Elmo Bearden in Dallas, Texas, Rod grew up, lived and worked in Texas until his middle 40s. As a child he was particularly influenced by the love shown to him by his grandparents and the days he spent with them. Between his mother’s and grandmothers’ cooking, Rod was the beneficiary of a steady stream of scratch biscuits, the freshest of fried chicken and gravy, greens, cakes and pies, and traditional iced tea. His love of good food, iced tea and a diet soda never abated and became a source of amusement for all who knew him. 

Rod (Roddy) was very athletic and sports, particularly football, occupied much of his time and he became lifelong friends with teammates and many others at W. H. Adamson High School in Oak Cliff, a suburb of Dallas. He attended Wichita State in Kansas on a football scholarship but lost it due to a knee injury and then, instead of waiting to be drafted, joined the Marines. During reconnaissance training he jumped out of one too many helicopters and again sustained knee damage that resulted in his being honorably discharged in 1967. Rod’s stint in the military enhanced and encouraged his own innate leadership and organizational skills. He would put these lessons to good use throughout his life. 

An early marriage to his high school girlfriend, Sharon White, welcomed his first child – a daughter – Traci. A later marriage, to the former Patti Kesnner, brought more joy with the arrival of two sons, Beau and Kris Lee. Many trips to the lake were made with his young children in tow and their sporting events filled the calendar. 

Rod’s work ethic was formed very early. From shoe shining to paper routes he contributed to his family’s finances as a young boy. As a young man cars were an interest … and also a source of income. One of his first real jobs was driving a semi truck and it was obtained by falsely stating he had driven one before. A gregarious and warm person, Rod was a natural salesman and worked in marketing and sales for many years before entering the production side of the entertainment industry as part of the transportation department. Work in Texas on shows like “Dallas” led him to more opportunities in other states. It was in Georgia while filming “In The Heat Of The Night” where he met his wife Kate. A move to California began a successful 30-year career in film and TV production in Los Angeles during which he rose easily up the ranks to transportation captain, picture car coordinator and then department head. He chose to mostly work in episodic television in order to be in town with his family, which now included daughter Caroline. One film, however – “No Country For Old Men” – did benefit from his skills and his finding and securing every vehicle seen on screen contributed visually to the Oscar-winning movie. 

Rod excelled as a transportation coordinator. Newer producers often got an education in the middle of a parking lot and experienced producers left him alone. He loved a challenge and faced them all with determination, charm and a disarming southern accent. His running daily “hot costs” estimates of his budget astonished the accountants and showed his level of experience. 

Retirement brought its own challenges with surgeries, COVID shutdown and chronic pain, but despite it all Rod found immense pleasure in being outdoors mowing the meadow, working to preserve the Mountain Oaks neighborhood, trotting his dog via golf cart, socializing with friends and neighbors, lounging poolside, visiting family, following sports and listening to music. Rod lived his life fully engaged, participating actively and enjoying all that he came across and he was invariably generous with his time and energy. He will always be loved and forever missed.

Rodric Lewis Bearden Sr. leaves behind three siblings: Alan, Marie and David; his wife Katherine Smurr and their daughter Caroline; his children Traci, Rod Bearden Jr. (Beau) and Kris Lee; grandchildren Jeffery, Brittany, Michael Wayne, Kristopher, Victoria and Kaylee; and great grandchildren Noah, Jayden, Rylee, Oren, Wyatt, Preston and Cooper as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 22  at 11:30 a.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 808 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada. Reception to follow at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club, 5500 Godbey Dr. in La Cañada.

A private interment ceremony will take place at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery on a later date. 

Cremation services performed by Cabot and Sons of Pasadena.