Rodney Davis

For those unable to attend today's funeral service for Rodney Davis. Please join us online using the ZOOM link below.
Time: Sep 23, 2023 10:45 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2067906353?pwd=5qyeaeHKvobVXdzDqJ4XjWBx7542dy.1

Meeting ID: 206 790 6353
Passcode: 1234

Rodney (“Hot Rod”) James Davis, age 69, of South Jordan, Utah, peacefully passed away in the early morning on Thursday, September 14, 2023 in the comfort of his own home, in the loving embrace of his wife, Lana. Rodney fought Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma four different times over the course of 15 years. After a valiant fight, with much poise and grace, he was finally reunited with his mom and dad in heaven.

Rodney was born on December 19, 1953 in Orem, Utah to James and Ardith Davis. He was the second of six children, the oldest boy. He truly fulfilled his role as an oldest son and brother to his four sisters and brother. He was loved and admired by his family. He was raised in Orem and attended Orem High School, where he played baseball and was a great student. He learned many skills there and took a particular interest in drafting, which became his life-long career.

In his younger years, he was commonly known as “Hot Rod”. His nickname came from having a 1969 Camaro, a hot temper, and a passion for life. He unfortunately sold the Camaro and simmered his temper, but never lost his zeal for life.  He attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, but he loved his long hair and eventually got tired of wearing a wig to cover it. Rod later laughed about deciding to leave BYU for this reason. He also attended Utah Technical College, gaining more training and education and refining his drafting skills.

Rodney was married to Vicky Cox from 1975 to 1984 and they had three beautiful children, Amanda, Wyatt, and Rhett. He designed and built his first home for his family. That was the first of several homes where he would pursue his passion of designing and overseeing construction to make sure they were all built to his standard of excellence.  In January of 1989, Rod was set up on a blind date with a stunning, fun, spontaneous, spiritual, and loving  wife woman, Lana Mower (“Lawn-a Mower”) and he quickly fell deeply in love with her. They were married on May 11, 1990 and sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. Together they had one son, Landon. Lana believed that marrying Rod meant loving his children as her own, becoming their help-mom. Their four children love and adore them both.  They lived in Orem, Sandy, and eventually settled down in Daybreak, where he lived for the last 18 years.

First and foremost, Rod was known for his endless devotion to his family and friends. He doted upon his bride and they were a powerhouse couple, always working alongside one another and cheering each other on. He adored his four children and made such great efforts to spend quality time with them, helping with anything they needed, big or small. He was a playful grandfather, known by his eight grandchildren as “Papa Hot Rod”. He loved teaching them new skills and enjoyed developing individual relationships with each one, crafting, playing, and imagining.

A determined, and sometimes stubborn man, Rod never let anyone do something he could do himself. As a result, he developed and mastered many trades and talents over his lifetime. He began his career as an architect and landed a great job at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, helping to develop plans for church buildings. After working there for several years, he and his business partner started McNeil Engineering, where they continued to take on many projects for the Church, as well as many other noteworthy projects. He retired from McNeil Engineering after nearly 40 years.

His hobbies were endless. Designing, crafting, and building showcase structures, including beautiful homes for his family. He also built a tranquil water feature with a stream at their prior home, numerous stunning stone fireplaces, and stained glass masterpieces. He was a skilled landscaper and master designer of structures. He had the gift to visualize a project in its finished state from the beginning.

In his retirement, he honed his skills and created unique, one-of-a-kind stained glass windows installed in the home where he and Lana live. Together they transformed their home and yard into an awe-inspiring, magical place during the holidays, especially Halloween and Christmas. They also loved doing creative and fun activities with the grandchildren year-round.  Lana and Rod traveled often and visited all 50 states during their 35 years together, as well as Australia and many other countries in Europe. He was a lover of golf, fishing, hunting, and woodworking as well. He was a collector - collecting baseball cards, cast-iron stoves, antiques, Olympic pins, and old woodworking tools.

He was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holding many important roles and positions in the Church. Among those roles, one of his favorites was Scoutmaster. His love for the outdoors, emergency preparedness, and survival made him a perfect passionate leader, teaching and training young men to be prepared, serve, and love God. He also cherished a five-year service mission with Lana at the Salt Lake Youth Detention Center, teaching incredible yet troubled young men, bringing light and hope into their lives. He and Lana were preparing to serve in the Sydney Australia Mission this summer.
Rodney was adored by friends and family. He was admirable, poised, and inspiring. To know Rod was to love him. He and Lana graciously welcomed so many people into their home over the years, mending hearts and feeding souls. He was compassionate and generous to all. His focus on his family was astonishing.

While battling cancer for 15 years, Rod held his head up high and marched forward with a strong faith in the healing power of his loving Savior Jesus Christ. He knew whom he could trust and he never wavered in his faith. He was an example of quiet dignity, enduring many trials but never letting his optimism or positivity diminish. In his final hours, he was surrounded by his sweet wife, and four children. He will forever be cherished and missed.

Rodney is survived by his wife, Lana; four children, Amanda (Cameron), Wyatt (Summer), Rhett (Kathryn), and Landon (Jessika); and eight grandchildren, Finn, Maddox, Keenan, Grace, Rose, Rkay, Nixon, and Ellie; siblings Janet (Michael) Eichelberger, Kevin (LaRie) Davis, Debbie (Richard) Buehner, Karen (Brent) Smith, Michelle (Bob) Tachick.

Preceded in death by his parents, James M. Davis and Ardith Roe Davis, his brother-in-law Timothy Scott Buehner, and his dog, Koda Bear.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Garden Park 7th Ward Chapel (4842 West Vermillion Drive, South Jordan, Utah 84009). The family will receive friends at the church Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:30-10:45 a.m for the viewing. Rodney will be laid to rest at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery (3115 Bengal Blvd, Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121). Arrangements entrusted to SereniCare Funeral Services.

May he forever rest in our hearts and minds.