Jed D. Rood 86, of Ames, Iowa passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2026 after being placed in Hospice Care at Bethany Story Care Center in Story City, Iowa.

A celebration of life was held August 20th at Christ Community Church in Ames, Iowa with Pastor Taylor Mugge officiating. Burial will be at the Bedford (Howe) Cemetery near the family farm in Auburn, Nebraska later in the summer.

Jed David Rood, son of Robert Rood and Kathryn (Reynolds) Rood, was born on January 11, 1940 in Athens, Ohio. Raised in Columbus, Ohio Jed completed his education at Columbus East High School, graduating in 1958. Jed was highly recruited for his athletic abilities and ended up with a full ride scholarship at Nebraska University where he also stayed on as (coaching staff during the Devaney years) Go Big Red!

After leaving Lincoln, Jed taught and coached football in Auburn, Nebraska. During this time, Jed met the love of his life, Janis (Mayer) Rood, whom he adored and affectionately called ‘Jano’. They began their married life together here and then moved to Columbus, Nebraska, where for the next eleven years, they built their home and welcomed their two sons. As Jed continued teaching he also made a name for himself as a successful head football coach. His dedication to the sport was recognized through the honor of being selected multiple times to participate in the Shrine Bowl.

Jed later moved his family to Mason City, Iowa, where he continued doing what he loved, teaching middle school students and sharing his passion for football as an assistant coach who later became the head coach. Those that knew Jed well knew that he never wasted an opportunity to share the gospel., Jed was kind to all and wanted them to know about the Jesus he loved so much. 2 Corinthians 5 :17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away: behold, the new has Come.”

Jed was also dedicated to serving those without a voice. Jed was instrumental with getting the Crisis Pregnancy Center started and the Board established. He gave countless hours to the Center for 30 years. Jed cared for those that were incarcerated and he developed a weekly prison ministry. Jed was a lifelong member of the E-free church of Mason City, Iowa.

Jed is survived by his wife Janis of Ames; two children, David (Nalani) of Ames and Dan of North Liberty; grandchildren, Shawn Lenz (Megan) of Mason City, Taylor Rood of Ankeny, Anna Rood of Ankeny, Jed Rood of Ames, Keagan Rood of Ames; great-grandchild Aaliya Sayles; his sibling Carol Rood of Columbus, Ohio; brother-in-law Robert (Gail) Mayer of Auburn, NE and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother John Rood; sister, Sarah (Rood) Stewart and sister-in-law Julie Mayer.