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 Dear 1978 MM Grads,
I regret to inform you all that last night April 29th, 2005 around 9pm one of our classmates - Rod Hill passed away. For the last month he has been fighting blood clots in his legs that were causing his heart to work way to hard. His heart rate was 200 beats per minute when he entered the hospital, and the doctors did all they could, but it wasn't enough. The fight for our "Big Rod" is now over. I know he's not in pain anymore, and I know I'll miss him at all the sport games around Longview and Kelso. He's now with his Dad, Mom, and older brother in heaven. Please pray for his three sisters as they need comforting in the coming weeks. Funeral arrangements have not been made yet, but if you would like to know email me back, and I'll make sure to get those to you. Rod was a active member of Valley Christian Fellowship (formerly Valley Baptist Church) at: 2844 30th Ave Longview, WA 98632 if you wish to send a card to his sisters, and let them know a memory you have about "Big Rod". May you have a blessed weekend.
Your friend always,
Darren Talley
Darren's Eulogy at Rod's funeral:
Big Rod Hill's Life
We will all miss seeing Rod's smile, as if he just put another kid on his knees as Santa at Christmas Time.
We will all miss seeing the smile, as if he just got the last cookie from the cookie jar when no one was looking.
We will miss Big Rod's undying loyalty to his friends.
We will miss Big Rod's excitement before our next high school class reunion.
Some may be sad that Rod never married, or had kids. I know Rod would say, but your kids were my kids.
Some may be sad that Big Rod's life was too short. I know Big Rod would tell us with a smile he's more alive now than we could ever believe.
I know Big Rod would say to all "please accept Jesus as your Savior", and get up here - I'm singing in the Choir.
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Scott Salkovics
I miss Rod. I would see him at many of the local functions when I was home on leave and he always knew where I had been....Carl Corky Washington
Big Rod was a fixture around Longview and he seemed to know everyone! He seemed to be able to sneak up on you and startle you, wonder how he did that...Denise Grendon
When Rod was ill and got put in the hospital, I went to see him. We had a different relationship. Rod and I we both knew the other was there if need day or nightHe helped one of my son's go to state for bowling. He also took the time and had the patience to help my Autisic son will bowling. He was a wonderful friend.
I got to see Rod about one hour before he sports center in the sky. There were three of his buddies up seeing him too. I looked at Rod and said " I know why you look so funny-you don"t have a hat on." Everyone agreed, so I told him I would bring him a new one the next day.
Well I stayed holding his hand and ask what kind of hat he wanted. He said Mariners of course. Me being me, I couldn't let it go at that. I sat real quite and let him visit with his friends. I asked him if he wanted pink or purple hat-well did I get a glare from him. I asked again and what a look. They all said BLUE like I didn't know anything. So I kept saying, pink or purple real quite and he kept looking at me like you better not.
Sorry to say but he didn't make it too the next day. Well I'm sure there he is yelling at me because the next day I printed off two copies of his obit to keep. My printer must have been low on ink, when I printed the copies, one of the copies of his hat was pink and the other copy was purple. I laughted so hard, sorry Rod but I got you back for all the jokes we have over the years.
I miss him so much but I am sure he,s got something to get me back.
I LOVE YOU BUD,
Denise
P.S.Do you have pink or purple on today?????????
Jackie Tyler (Erickson)
I miss seeing Rod around town, football games and he always knew me and would visit. Darren did a great job at his service.Kathleen Harlin (Rynevich)
Rod was a great guy. He always treated me so nice. He was one of the few people that I felt actually remembered me at the 20 year reunion. I am glad I got a chance to catch up with him and shared a dance. I heard of his passing some time after it had happen and was deeply sadden. I will always remember him as a fun-loving guy. Kathleen RynevichJohn Jacobs
I've enjoyed reading what others have said about Rod and my experience of Rod being a nice guy occured too. We were on the bowling team together. I would stop by triangle bowl even after graduation and Rod would always have a nice "hi" and talk.