J Rodney "Rod" Lewis

Rod passed from mortal life at his home in the early hours of January 22nd after suffering declining health over a period of months at the age of 88.  He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and grew up in Bountiful, Utah.  Along with his younger sister Peggy, he was raised by his parents, Alvin Thomas Lewis and Iris Marie Jacobson.  From an early age Rod became well acquainted with the principles of hard work and responsibility, acquired from long hours of helping his father at the family farm and orchard.  Due to circumstances of the times, their modest home was heated by a coal stove and meals were enjoyed prepared by his mother using the convenience of a wood-burning cast-iron stove.  From that humble beginning, he became a witness to the many astonishing technological advances of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.
    He attended Davis High School and while working part time at the local movie theater, he became acquainted with another Davis High student, the girl who would become the love of his life, Joan (pronounced Jo Ann) Lofgreen.  They were married in Bountiful, Utah on June 8, 1950.  Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
    The new husband worked for a time at the Bountiful Dairy until finding what would become his career at the gas company, Mountain Fuel Supply which later became Questar Gas.  Being a responsible hard-worker, Rod advanced there over the years from meter reader, to service man, to office manager of the Clearfield office, eventually becoming the district manager over the Layton district.  During his career he also helped the community by joining two benevolent organizations, eventually serving as president of both: the Kiwanis Club while residing in Clearfield and later The Rotary Club of Layton.
     He believed in bettering himself.  Being gifted with the ability to quickly do math in his head, he put himself through night school learning the intricacies of electronics and beginning his own part-time TV repair business.  Eventually the TV repair business died out so he tried putting his talents into a part-time HVAC business.

   Except for a few years residing in Clearfield, Rod and Joan made their home in Farmington, Utah, becoming parents of seven sons, one who died in infancy.  Raising the six boys was a responsibility which Rod both enjoyed and took seriously.  Leading by example, he served for many years in the scouting program mostly as a leader of the Explorer Scouts.  Many a young man were able to experience life-molding adventures they otherwise would not have had.  This included his sons who, although too young to be scouts, were invited to tag along on what would become unforgettable mile markers in their lives.
    An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Rod held many callings including scout leader, ward clerk, bishop's counselor, a home teacher often paired with a son, a full-time senior missionary in the Oklahoma Tulsa mission along with his wife, and temple worker at the Bountiful Temple for seven years.
    Rod had a special calming influence over all he came in contact with, whether at work, at home, at church, or with friends and family.  One seemed to get a feeling  with him around that everything was under control and would work out just fine.  His often-used light-hearted sense of humor could be described as dry at times and his not-so-serious pet peeves were a source of smiles to his family.  He enjoyed classic country music, fly fishing, fly tying, hiking, canoeing, camping, scenic drives including taking his trailer at times with friends and family, reading, spending time at a second residence in St. George, Utah, and completing many do-it-yourself projects around the home.
    He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant son, Thomas Lynn Lewis.
    He is survived by his wife Joan, his sister Peggy Lewis of SLC Utah, his six sons, Alan and Melanie Lewis of North Ogden, Steven Lewis of Farmington, David Lewis of Layton, Roger and Andrea Lewis of West Bountiful, Jon and Staci Lewis of Layton, Garrett and Sarah Lewis of Boerne Texas, sixteen grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren.
    The family wishes to offer a special thank you to the hospice care workers, Sonya and Nina.  
Funeral services will be held at the historic rock church 272 North Main, Farmington, Utah at 1:00 PM, Monday, January 28th.  Friends may visit with the family beginning at 12:00 PM, one hour prior to the services, or during the prior evening, Sunday January 27th  from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Russon  Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah.  Interment will be at the Farmington City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a special donation be made to the perpetual education fund, humanitarian aid, or to the relief organization of your choice.