Rodney M. Van Loon

Rodney M. Van Loon, Jr., age 58, of Gulfport, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 6, 2011. He was a life-long resident of the coast, a friend and trusted advisor, a well-respected member of the business community.
Rodney was a graduate of MS Gulf Coast Community College, Jeff Davis Campus, and the University of Southern Mississippi with a BBA in Accounting. He remained active in the USM Alumni Association and served on the School of Accounting and Information System's Accounting Advisory Board.
He was a Senior Partner with the CPA firm of Alexander, Van Loon, Sloan, Levens, and Favre, PLLC and in 1999, was one of the founding principals of AVL WealthCare. Rodney worked with business owners and many individuals over his 30 years as a tax consultant and the last 10 years as an investment advisor, where he was known for solving varied and often complex issues.
His professional affiliations included the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Financial Planning Association, Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Gulf Coast Chapter of the MSCPA. Most notably, he was one of the founding partners of the Bright Sky Group, a national alliance of Independent Financial Advisors focused on careful asset allocation, diversification and long-term thinking as an inspired, practical approach to markets and investing.
Rodney was very active in the community and donated much of his time. He served as a board member of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation; a board member and former board president of Westminster Academy; former president of Team Fusion (GHS Robotics) booster club; a board member and audit committee chair of First Bank and Trust of Mississippi and its parent company First Trust Corporation. He was also a member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, the Children's International Summer Village, active supporter of his children's athletic activities, a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Gulfport Yacht Club, and Bayou Bluff Tennis Club.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Gustaf and Nellie Witte, and Charles and Mabel Van Loon.
Survivors include his loving wife of 34 years, Donna H. Van Loon, a son, Marshall Van Loon, a daughter, Elizabeth Van Loon, his parents, Rodney Van Loon and Eunice Van Loon, his siblings, Dennis M. Van Loon, Teresa N. Breeden, Gilbert C. Van Loon, and Melissa A. Van Loon, numerous other relatives and many friends.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 7-9 pm at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road. Another visitation will be held Thursday from 9-11 am at St. Mark's Episcopal Church followed by mass at 11 am. Interment will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be sent to The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation in memory of Rodney Van Loon,
An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com