Rodney Joseph Spendlove

Rod passed away peacefully on January 18, 2024, after a brief, but pleasant stay at Creekside Senior Living Center in Bountiful, Utah. Rod was born on December 27, 1945, to a loving mother, Alta Carter, and J. Dewey Spendlove in Brigham City, Utah. He was lucky to have three sisters and a brother waiting for him at home, and later to have two more sisters join the family. Rod loved his siblings and talked tenderly about them throughout his life.

Rod spent his formative years roaming the streets of Brigham City and always found his way back to the family home on Forest Street, but usually after a stop at Idle Isle Cafe for a treat. During those years, he developed a love for sports, music, and hard work, and those carried into adulthood and beyond. He enjoyed school and was proud to be a Box Elder Bee, where he participated in football, tennis, baseball, and played the saxophone in the marching band and orchestra. He worked countless hours in the nearby farms and orchards, and was most proud of his time working at Maddox and picking the world-famous peaches in his hometown. His children are grateful that he passed down his love for sports, music, and hard work.

After high school, Rod decided to leave his beloved Brigham City and moved to Denver, where he experienced life, including graduating in electronics from trade school after two years. His life, however, was interrupted when he was drafted into the Army. After basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas and further training as a radio operator, he then served 10 months in Vietnam.

Rod returned safely home from Vietnam and enrolled at Brigham Young University. While at BYU, Rod continued with his love for sports, music and hard work, graduated with a degree in electrical engineering, and became a life-long Cougar fan - much to the chagrin of his children, Rod would often wake the household on Saturday mornings singing the Cougar fight song.

Rod's most outstanding accomplishment at BYU, however, was convincing the highly sought-after Silvia Geigley to become his wife. They were married September 12, 1968, and built their permanent home in Centerville, Utah. Together, their greatest accomplishments and blessings were creating a family with two daughters and three sons, each who, in their own unique way, are formidable forces for good in this world. Rod and Silvia were then privileged to have sixteen wonderful grandchildren and a great grandson (and two more great grandchildren later this year) become part of their lives.

Rod spent his career at L3Harris, and its many iterations throughout the years, working on complicated engineering problems and designs with his friends and coworkers; he loved the intellectual challenge of his job. Outside of work, Rod enjoyed going to the temple with his wife often and going on surprise trips. He relished his time spent as a coach, scout leader, sunday school teacher, and more importantly, cheering for his children at their events and encouraging them in their endeavors. Rod was a talented wood worker, mechanic, tennis player, and golfer. He will be remembered for his meticulously kept garden and yard, which he created with his own hands. During his life, Rod was passionate about basketball, which led to him getting up early to play with his friends three times a week for years; it was a sad day in his life when his knees finally stopped cooperating and caused him to hang up his high tops.

Rod is survived by his patient wife, Silvia, his dedicated children Stephanie (Nate) Wheatley, Todd Spendlove, Chris (Karmen) Spendlove, Melanie (Brandon) Baker, and Justin Spendlove, his loving grandchildren Zach, Josh (Ally), Toree, Marlee, Montana (Derek), Bridger, Quade, Avary, Kennedy (David), Carter (Jayden), Campbell, Kyra, Isaac, Benj, Lily, Charlie, and great grandson Stetson. He is also survived by his brother Verl Spendlove, sisters Carol Petersen and Myrna (Jack) Schwieder, brothers-in-law Dee Jay Thompson and Randy Williams, and many nieces and nephews. Rod was preceded in death by his parents Alta and Dewey, sisters Fran Johnson, Deon Spendlove, Sharon Thompson, LaDawn Williams, sister-in-law Larene Spendlove, and brother-in-law DeVerl Johnson.

Friends and family are invited to attend a viewing and visit with Rod's family on Tuesday, January 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah. He will then be laid to rest in the Centerville Cemetery, where his family will hold an intimate service prior to interment.

The family appreciates the tender care, support, and condolences during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to an organization that reaches out to the marginalized in your community, and will cherish memories and condolences shared through the online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com