Honorable Neil Roddenbery

On Saturday, July 20, 2024, Neil Roddenbery passed away peacefully at the age of 68 at Grace Manor Memory Care in Lakeland, Florida. Neil loved his family, church, and community, and he left each with a profound sense of gratitude to God for his life. His kindness will be long remembered by all who knew him.

On July 11, 1956, Neil was born in Tallahassee, Florida to John William and Cornelia Weitmon Roddenbery with whom he moved to Lakeland as a child. He graduated from Lakeland Senior High School in 1974, Florida State University with a degree in criminology in 1978, and the University of Florida College of Law with a Juris Doctorate in 1982.

After serving two years with the Lakeland Police Department, Neil worked two years in the state attorney's office where he met the love of his life, Stacey Sidwell. He and Stacey were married for nearly 40 years until his death. Neil joined the Fowler White law firm in 1986, departing in 1989 to form Crawford Roddenbery with Sid Crawford. In 1998, he joined Gray Harris and in 2005 he was appointed circuit court judge by Jeb Bush. In that capacity, Neil served in the 10th Judicial Circuit until he stepped down in 2020.

Neil loved his labor in the judicial system, though it was always his family, church, FSU football — and chocolate cake — that made him smile. Neil and Stacey enjoyed every minute with their family: daughter, Hilary Roddenbery Crenshaw and husband Brad Crenshaw, son Matthew Roddenbery and his fiancée Camille Williams, and grandchildren Katherine Ann and William Neil Crenshaw. In addition, Neil’s church family at First United Methodist meant the world to him where teaching and leading discussions in the Discipleship and Christian Believers classes was his great delight.

Neil is survived by his wife, mother, children, and grandchildren, sisters Sherrin Roddenbery Hilliard and Linda Roddenbery, brother Russell Roddenbery, aunts Charline Kestner and Bonnie McCrosky, nieces and nephews Kathleen Ryan (Nate), Jacquelyn Morgado (Daniel), Joey Wells (Autumn), Emily Wells, Tiffany Roddenbery, Brianna Roddenbery, and loving cousins and in-laws.

Neil's life was a testament to his unwavering faith, integrity, and love of people — values he embodied through his actions and gentle demeanor. His family and friends take great comfort in knowing he now rests in Christ’s embrace. Please join them to celebrate the blessing of his kindness on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 11 AM at the First United Methodist Church on Lake Morton.

The Roddenbery family expresses their sincere thanks for the loving care of all those who served Neil including the dedicated staff at Grace Manor Memory Care and VITAS healthcare. To remember Neil and continue his legacy of humble kindness and commitment to make our world a better place, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org or mail a check payable to the Alzheimer’s Association (note Roddenbery memorial) to: 14010 Roosevelt Blvd Ste 709; Clearwater, FL 33762.