John Rowland Harrod

John R. Harrod, 74, loving husband of Julia McMillen Harrod for 48 years, left his earthly home on Wednesday, Nov. 25, at Baptist Health.  John was born in Louisville to the late John William and Mary Lavinia Harrod on Nov. 9, 1946.  At the age of 9, he and his family moved to Nicholasville where he thrived and carved a life second to none by playing baseball, (Little League and Babe Ruth) and football at Jessamine County High School, where he received many special awards for his football achievements. Upon his graduation (being the second class to go all 4 years to graduate from Jessamine County High School), he graduated with a teaching degree in Industrial Arts from Eastern Kentucky University and started his teaching career with the Jessamine County Board of Education, where he taught drafting and coached football as Head Coach and Assistant Coach positions during his career, as well as being Principal and Assistant Principal, retiring in 1997.  John was well known in the building community for being the best at drawing house plans and was always in demand. In addition to his wife Julia, his memories will be cherished by his daughters Olivia Tudor, husband Chauncey, their children Beau, Brody, Colton, and Cody, and Emily Horn, husband Jeremy, their children Hayden and Sam, his Mother-in-law Jean McMillen, nephews Micah and Josh McMillen and their Mother Sherry, as well as numerous cousins.  He was preceded in death by his Father-in-law Harrison McMillen, brother-in-law Steve McMillen, special friends Phil Stewart, Frank Conyers, Tommy Jelf, Glen Perkins, and Kenny Williams. John’s family will greet friends beginning at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, Dec 2 until 8:00PM at Hager & Cundiff Funeral Home. Friends can also on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM, with a Remembrance Memorial to follow at 1:00 PM at the Funeral Home. Rev. Don Reed and Doug Fain will officiate.  Honorary Special Friends will be Dan Glass, Todd Deisher, Glenn Teater, Gary Burdine, Doug Fain, Pat Nielson, Randall House, Marvin Horman, Mark Murphy, C. B. Thompson, Buddy Snowden, Dexter Knight, John Brown, Ron Cundiff, Buddy Kurtz, John Collier and his 1964 Jessamine County Colts Football Teammates.  

John’s family would like to say a special thanks to all his students who took his classes and played football for him that gave him a small part of their lives and created lasting friendships. The family requests donations be made to the John Harrod Scholarship Fund (JCTC c/o Vicki Lobiondo, 881 Wilmore Road, Nicholasville, KY 40356) in his memory.

Due to the Covid 19 the family requests that all visitors and attendees observe social distancing and wear masks at the funeral home.  If you are not able to attend John’s Service, call our office (859 885-4125) to request a white silk rose to be placed with your name to be given to the family following the service.  His service will be lived streamed on the Hager & Cundiff Funeral Home Facebook page and our YouTube channel.  Hager & Cundiff values nothing more than the trust given to us to provide for John and the Harrod Family.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Rowland Harrod, please visit our floral store.