John Frederick Rodda

June 4, 1947 — Sept. 18, 2014

John Rodda, 67, went to be with our Lord on Sept. 18, 2014 after battling cancer.

John was born in Walla Walla on June 4, 1947. He met Becky Gehr when she moved across the street in 1959.

John graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1965. He went to Washington State University, where he majored in finance. At WSU, John received the Thomas Arkle Clark Award for Outstanding Senior, was president of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, and belonged to a business honorary fraternity. He graduated in 1969.

He was a drill sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1969 – 1975.

John married Becky on June 20, 1970 at Pioneer United Methodist Church in Walla Walla, where they were members. After getting married, they moved to Eugene, Oregon, where John attended the University of Oregon School of Law. John received his J.D. and passed the Oregon Bar in 1973. He joined the firm Butler Husk & Gleaves out of law school and became a partner in 1978. John was a leader in the community and represented many major businesses in Eugene.

John and Becky had Tom in 1977 and Jane was born in 1981. John was devoted to his family. They spent time together on the Mackenzie River, at the Oregon Coast, and skiing at Willamette Pass.

In 1988, during a tough business climate in Eugene, John and Becky made an adventurous decision to move their family to Washington. John joined the firm Inslee Best Doezie and Ryder in Bellevue, and he continued to have many adventures with his family, including boating trips, horseback riding, and climbing on Mount Rainier.

John retired from law practice in 2009 after complications following treatment of a benign brain tumor. John and Becky moved to White Horse Golf Community in Kingston, and John enjoyed lots of boating, fishing and precious time with his family.

John was a member of University Presbyterian Church and served as a Stephen Minister. He also led a support group at the church and helped many men free themselves from drug and alcohol abuse. He was a member of Bible Study Fellowship, and led groups in Bellevue and in Bremerton.

John has a strong faith in Jesus Christ. He adored his family, was a loving husband, and wonderful father and grandfather, with a gentle spirit. We will all miss him very much. We know he will find great joy in eternal life with Jesus. Until we meet again.

John is survived by his wife, Becky; son, Tom (and wife Melissa); daughter, Jane (and husband Tom Moody); and grandchildren, Jack (6), Emmett (4), Sarah (21 months), and a baby on the way.

He is also survived by his sisters, Marjorie Tompkins, Karen Robinson, and Kathy Johnson; brother-in-law, Joe Gehr (and wife Brenda); and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Swedish Medical Center Foundation – Neuro Science Institute, 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122; or University Presbyterian Church, 4540 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98105.

A memorial service is scheduled at University Presbyterian Church on Oct. 3, at 2 p.m., 4540 15th Ave. NE, Seattle. Burial will be in Walla Walla on Oct. 18, 11 a.m., at Mountain View Cemetery, 2120 S. 2nd Ave, Walla Walla.

— Family of John Frederick Rodda