Rodney James Shirley

Shirley, Rodney J.

Rodney James Shirley, passed away at his home in Salem, Idaho, on Jan. 14, 2009.

Rodney was born to James F. and Sarah V. Shirley in Salem on Jan. 3, 1915. He lettered in football and placed first in track meets. He enjoyed stage productions and had his picture on the marquee for a production at the Deseret Theater in Salt Lake City. He served a mission to the British Isles.

He married Leah J. Mortensen on June 29, 1938, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They're the parents of Kent, Karen, Diane and Nile. Leah died Dec. 13, 1947. Rodney was a single father for 18 years. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as Young Men's superintendent, Sunday school teacher, directed ward plays and road shows, participated in dance festivals, was counselor in a bishopric, Scoutmaster and managed little league baseball and square dancing. He helped build many custom homes in Rexburg and many of the original buildings on the former Ricks College campus. He enjoyed fishing trips to Norway, Acapulco, Alaska, the Washington coast and the Intermountain West. He married Patty Jean Wood on Sept. 23, 1965. The marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They were joined by son, Todd. He climbed the Petzholdt Ridge of the Grand Teton Peak. He was a contestant on the Price Is Right. He loved to hunt, hike, ski, travel, garden, cook, dance and spend time with his family. He had a complete and unconditional love for his wife and every child and grandchild.

He is survived by his wife, Patty; children, Kent (Susan), Karen Espinosa, Diane (Ron) Nielson, Nile (Jayne) and Todd (Trina); 25 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ada Moss. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Fred, Leo, Leslie and Ross; and sisters, Jeanette, Hazel, Sarah, Myrtle and Bonnie.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at the Salem 2nd Ward Chapel. A viewing will be from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg and from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church. Interment will be in Sugar City Cemetery.

  Published in the Post Register on 1/17/2009

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Nov 10 2016, 18:56:33 UTC