Rodger Lee Denney

Our beloved Pa passed away on December 17th at 3:53 P.M. surrounded by his loved ones. Rodger was born on a cold winter night to Fredrick and Francis Denney, He was the oldest of eight rowdy boys. Rodger enlisted in the Army in 1962 where he earned his ranking of Sergeant E5 Artillery Specialist. He was stationed in Oahu, Hawaii (Pa always claimed he fought the battle of Waikiki.) He was honorably discharged in 1965 and returned home to Macon Missouri.

 

While working at his Aunt's cafe, he noticed a beautiful woman, it was love at first sight. Pa married that spunky lady on March 18,1966 in Phoenix, Arizona. While working for Mountain West Bell he transferred to Salt Lake City, Utah where they found their forever home in West Valley City. During their 42 years of marriage they had three children Leanne, Marla, and JJ. In 1984 a new bundle of joy (Cody) made him a proud grandpa where he gained his nickname Pa. Soon there would be more Tyler, Kortney, Sierra, Haylee, Cayden, and Bowdie the more the family grew the happier Pa became, He was upgraded to Great Grandpa (Pa) when Devani arrived in 2007. His beautiful wife became ill in 2006 where he proceeded to retire early to take care of his beloved. In 2008 Daisy passed away. He occupied his time spending every day with his grandkids. He taught them the love of gardening, competition shooting, trips to the coin shop and short drives to Idaho for lottery tickets. In 2017 his only son passed away, he was completely devastated. In 2018 he suffered 2 strokes. His granddaughter Haylee became his caregiver where she spent every single day with him. In 2021 and 2022 Along came his Great Grandchildren Samuel and Liam he was very fond of these young boys. When Cayden and Shayla’s family moved in it brought so much joy to pa’s life. Samuel and Liam were pa’s shadows, where Pa went they wanted to be. We would often see the boys take their blankets into pa’s room, climb in bed with pa to take a nap. He enjoyed being around his dogs, Lou lou, Beau beau and Jane jane. On December 3rd, 2023 Rodger was admitted to the hospital where he suffered from many complications. His last request was to go back home so he could spend his last moments being around his grandbabies and his dogs. Rodgers last words were, SHUT UP!! (Telling his dogs to shut up so he can go peacefully)

Rodger was the most helpful, caring person that anyone has ever met. 

 

Rodger was survived by his two Daughters, Leanne, Marla(John) Eight Grandkids, eight great grandkids, Three Brothers Phil(Connie), Tom, Eugene. Preceded in death Parents Francis, Fredrick Wife Daisy, Son JJ son in-law Brent kennington Brothers Fredrick JR, Donald, Woodrow, David, sister in-law Cathy, Niece Sherrie lynn and His favorite dog Billy.