Obituaries » Rodney James Dlouhy
Rodney James Dlouhy
January 19, 1949 - April 20, 2018
A celebration of life is planned for April 28, 2018 at the Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Viewing will be held from 10:00–11:00 a.m., with the service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Immediately following the service, a graveside memorial with military honors will be held at Gilliland Cemetery in Sweet Home, Oregon. Reception to follow and location will be announced at the conclusion of the service.
Donations or contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Donations can be made online at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or by phone 877.832.6997 or by writing to Wounded Warrior Project; PO Box 758517; Topeka, KS 66675-8517.
Rodney J. Dlouhy Sr., 69, was born in Manchester, Iowa to Lester and Gloria Dlouhy. While Rod was still very young, the family made their way to Sweet Home, Oregon where his father made his living in the timber industry. Rod grew up with five siblings: younger brother Steve and sisters Roseanne, Linda, Dona, and Marsha. Rod attended Sweet Home High School where he met the love of his life, Marsha Sisemore.
After high school, Rod attended Lane Community College and married Marsha K. Sisemore on June 27, 1970. Shortly after they married, Rod enlisted with the Army in September 1970. He served in the Vietnam War as a helicopter mechanic. Rod was honorably discharged on April 15, 1972 and returned home to Marsha to start a family in Sweet Home. Rod and Marsha welcomed their children, Melissa, Rodney II, and Donelle to the family and spent many wonderful years raising a busy family while being owner and operator of Liberty Reforestation, Inc.
Some of Rod’s best memories were of supporting the Sweet Home High School Huskies during his kids’ sporting events, spending time with his beloved in-laws, Millard and Mabel Sisemore, and serving as a deacon at Sweet Home First Baptist Church. Rod grew to love the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart and loved to share his relationship with Christ with his friends and strangers.
After his three children grew up and left home, Rod and Marsha moved to Salem where he spent about five years working for a new Lowe’s Home Improvement store. He then went to work for the Oregon Department of Transportation until retirement. Despite his health conditions, he still enjoyed hunting and fishing (or even more… telling a good hunting or fishing story). He enjoyed stirring a good backyard fire, driving with Marsha and helping her as co-pilot and navigator, woodworking, and spending time with his dog, Teddy. However, his greatest joy was being a grandfather and spending time with his grandkids.
Rod is survived by his wife, Marsha Kay (Sisemore) Dlouhy; daughter Melissa McNabb and grandchildren Daniel and Sarah McNabb; son Rodney J. Dlouhy, II (Evie) and grandchildren Samantha and “Buddy” (Rodney, III); youngest daughter Donelle (Steve) and granddaughter Gabi Chen; sisters Roseanne Taylor, Dona McLemore, and Linda Phillips; mother-in-law Mabel Sisemore;and sister-in-law Marlene (Gino Cortopassi) Sisemore.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Gloria Dlouhy; brother Steve; twin-sister Marsha; father-in-law Millard; and his companion dog, Teddy.
A celebration of life is planned for April 28, 2018 at the Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Viewing will be held from 10:00–11:00 a.m., with the service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Immediately following the service, a graveside memorial with military honors will be held at Gilliland Cemetery in Sweet Home, Oregon. Reception to follow and location will be announced at the conclusion of the service.
Donations or contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Donations can be made online at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or by phone 877.832.6997 or by writing to Wounded Warrior Project; PO Box 758517; Topeka, KS 66675-8517.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.