By Kevyn Bowling

Kevin Renfroe is determined to make the First Annual Cody Renfroe Rod Run a celebration of life instead of a recollection of his son's tragic death.

“The Rod Run had been something Cody wanted to do for two or three years. It was sort of a dream of his,” says Cody's father, Kevin.

Although a native of Crossville, Cody spent most of his youth in the Park Street Express Lube in Centre, working on cars with his dad.

One car holds more significance to the Renfroes than any of their others. It's a 1957 Chevrolet that Kevin's father bought at a public auction in 1969. Kevin's older brother was the first to drive the Chevy to his high school graduation, beginning a family tradition that now spans generations.

His brother had taken the motor out to rebuild it for Kevin's graduation when he died of lung cancer at age 24.

“I had to put the motor back in, and I never thought I would have to do anything like that again, but I did,” Kevin says.

Kevin's son Cody drove the Chevy to his high school graduation and, again, had taken the car apart to rebuild it for his younger brother Dane's graduation. But Cody, also 24, died in the line of duty in with the Crossville Fire Department in October.

Kevin says Cody had been trying to be a full-time firefighter for about a year and had just landed a job with the Irondale Fire Department in Birmingham.

“He would have started Friday week after he died,” Kevin says. “I've been working on the car since Valentine's Day. Cody's mother, Stanice Gray, and the Crossville Fire Department have worked on the Rod Run. All I lack is the front bumper.”

Kevin says the paint on the '57 Chevy has been changed from a shiny black, which it had been for 40 years, to flat black.

“That is what Cody wanted,” Kevin says. “I wanted to keep it shiny, but now that we've done it, I like it.”

The Renfroes' Chevy will be on display at the Rod Run in a special area called “Cody's Corner” which will feature around 10 other family show cars.

“We were hoping to have 50 cars when we started, but if everybody comes that has promised to, I think we're going to have between 150-200 cars,” Kevin says.

The Rod Run isn't limited to show cars, either. There will also be motorcycles and tractors. The entry fee is $10 per vehicle. There is no cost to come and look.

“Anything that anybody has that they are proud of and want to show off, they are welcome,” Kevin says.

The Crossville Fire Department has a new fire truck they are dedicating in memory of Cody. It will have his name on the side and a firefighting suit running with a water bucket on back. There will also be fire trucks from other departments in the area.

“Any fire department that wants to bring a fire-truck is welcome,” Kevin says. “I guess it'll be the first fire truck show in the area.”

The Rod Run is also a swap meet. That is, if someone wants to sell a show car bring, they should it to the show and put and price on it. The same goes for old parts. There will also be live entertainment, a moonwalk for kids, a disaster simulation truck, and plenty of food.

“Three emergency helicopters are scheduled to fly in and out,” Kevin says. “One of the helicopters will be the one that they called to get Cody. It is the same one that flew over the graveside ceremony.”

The Rod Run starts April 18 at 10 a.m. The dedication is at noon and awards will be handed out at 1:30 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Crossville Fire Department.

“We want to make this a celebration of Cody's life,” Kevin says. “We're trying the best way we know to make it a happy day -- a day that people will enjoy.”