Obituary: Rodkey, John P.
Spokane and the world have lost a great servant.
After a valiant battle with cancer, our beloved father, John P. Rodkey, has completed his baptism and journeyed to his next holy home.
With the world as his classroom Dad was teaching until the day he went into a coma; and had worked in his well-known garden just the few days before.
Born in Colorado in 1921 and coming to Post Falls in 1934, John’s family began a long and noble engagement with the people of our Inland Northwest.
Always loyal and proud of this region, Dad served it with distinction.
He and his much loved wife Marie celebrated their 67th anniversary in April.
John graduated from Whitworth College with his BA degree in Recreational Leadership in 1947 and a BA in Psych / Soc / Education in 1948.
He later received his Master’s Degree in Administration in 1958.
He remained a loyal and active alum of Whitworth University.
After student teaching at North Central High, he was hired to teach there after his college years.
He taught from 1948 - ‘57, then served as Vice Principal of Shadle Park for the two opening-years, ‘57-‘59.
He then came back to NC as principal from ‘59-79.
Oh how he loved North Central High School - the joy of his life!
The energy, grace, humor, wisdom, and compassion he showed in his 29 years serving NC changed lives, and the world.
His family thanks the many who have visited and/or written their love and support of Dad in the past few months.
The love and respect of his life that has been shown means more than can be known.
Dad served in WWII in the 62nd Troop Carrier Unit in Europe and Northern Africa as the radio operator on a C-47.
Those experiences helped shape his life, giving him the focus of duty and serving.
John was all about stories, helping others, continually learning and teaching, and ALWAYS taking the high road in life.
All of that was drawn from a deep well of integrity that never wavered.
One clear thing about Dad will be his disappointment at not being able to get up and live another day full of love, service, and humor.
Dad had a deep faith which was his compass.
Dad’s dream is for all to keep learning, growing, and moving towards the light and love of God.
A man of devout faith, he served in both the Methodist and Presbyterian traditions.
John is preceded in death by some and survived by many in his larger family.
In his immediate family, he is preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Verne Rodkey, and his brother, F. Lee Rodkey.
He is survived by siblings Grant Rodkey (Suzanne), George Rodkey (Dorothy), Elizabeth McNeal, and Kathryn Russell.
His daughter Johanna Lee (Rodkey) Roberts was lost to cancer (1996).
Remaining is her family - husband Doug, children Aaron (Carrie,) Sam, and Lexie (Ben); daughter Sharon (Rodkey) Smith and husband Dennis, children Minda (Darin), Matthew (Sheena), and Erik (Katie); son Paul, wife Kerri, children Terry, Todd, Christopher, Diana, Allie; and nine great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Bethany Presbyterian (2607 South Ray) on June 2 at 11:00 AM.
Memorial gifts may be sent to Bethany Presbyterian Church or the Helen and Verne Rodkey Family Scholarship Fund at Whitworth University.