Thayne R. Rodabough
Cedar Hills, UT- Our dearest Husband and Father, Thayne Robison Rodabough, 68, passed away at his home in Cedar Hills, Utah, on July 10, 2021 a few weeks after he and his beloved wife, Deborah Bailey Rodabough, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary alongside family and friends. Thayne passed away after fighting stage 4 brain and lung cancer for 7 years.
Thayne was born May 25, 1953 in Provo, Utah to Harry Rodabough and Lela Robison Rodabough. He was the youngest of 4 boys. He loved his parents and brothers very much and would tell us stories of his childhood and how much he cherished it. The “Rodabough Boys” were rambunctious and gave their parents a run for their money. He always had the freedom to run, hunt, fish, and play. He was taught by his parents to be a good citizen, to work hard, and to appreciate the life he was given.
Thayne met the love of his life, Deborah Bailey Rodabough, on a blind date at the age of 17 at the Golden Green Ball and fell in love. Thayne graduated high school early and attended Utah State University for his senior year. While attaining his education, he and Deborah got married on June 18, 1971. Thayne was hired as a cook, then promoted to the night manager at JB’s Big Boy. He always loved cooking, and would later pass on that love to his 6 children.
In 1972, Thayne and Deborah welcomed their first son, Jason, before they moved to Idaho Falls. Thayne began working for the Union Pacific Railroad as a “section gang” member, laying track. In 1975, they both welcomed their second and third child, Wendy and Adam, the additions being only one year, and 5 days apart. The railroad took Thayne and his little family to Pocatello, Idaho where he was promoted to the “Signal Department”. There he learned how to work with the railroad’s electrical system that controlled the signals and gates. It was a very dangerous job where he was required to climb tall telephone poles with spiked boots, and a harness in order to be able to have free hands to work on the electrical components.
On July 9, 1976, Thayne and Deborah took their family to be sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In 1977, the railroad required him to move his family again to the hot desert of Las Vegas and California where they welcomed their fourth child, Robby. Thayne lived out in the desert 5 days a week in a bunk house with no air conditioning until the weekend where he was excited to return home to his family. In 1978 The railroad finally took them back to Utah valley to be trained as a Locomotive Engineer from a “Hog Head”, his father Harry Rodabough where he stayed and worked on the railroad. Their growing family welcomed the last two children, Kristen 1979 and Valerie in 1982. Utah Valley remained his home for the remainder of his life. He continued to work for the railroad for the next 40 years as a locomotive engineer and loved helping his coworkers as a Union leader in the United Transportation Union (later known as SMART TD Union).
He loved and provided security for his wife and children. He held many volunteer assignments in his church. He was an honorable priesthood holder which he used to bless his family. Throughout his life, he was loved by many people. He was a strong advocate for the men and women that he worked with on the Railroad. He was the cherished neighbor that would drop anything to help fix a sprinkler, or plow someone’s driveway. He was always in service to the ones he loved and remained that way until the end of his life. Thayne was welcomed back to his Heavenly home by his Heavenly Father whom he loved deeply and taught his children about, alongside his mother Lela Robinson Rodabough, his father Harry Webster Rodabough, and his eldest brother Harry Ward Rodabough. Thayne is survived by his wife, Deborah Bailey Rodabough, children: Jason (Yvonne) Rodabough, Wendy Gifford, Adam (Lori) Rodabough, Robby (Lindy) Rodabough, Kristen (Greg) Mecham, and Valerie (Joel) Nelson. 17 grandsons, 15 granddaughters, and 6 great grandchildren.
He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 16, 2021 at 11:00 at the Cedar Hills 10th Ward Chapel, 9737 Chesterfield Drive, Cedar Hills, Utah. Family and friends may call on Thursday, July 15, 2021 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the church and again on Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the church prior to services. Interment will be at Highland City Cemetery. For those wishing to attend the services virtually, please use the following link: https://bit.ly/rodabough
This Post Has 9 Comments
So very sad to hear the news but what a GREAT life he led!! Thayne and Deb were very blessed by Heavenly Father thruout their life together – so many wonderful memories……but Im pretty sure he had many choice spirits welcoming him into the heavens…as they now make ready for the loved ones still left behind here on earth. My prayers and lots of love to his whole family – especially Debbie who helped fight to the very end. Such a courageous couple! May you all be blessed with the Lord’s strength holding you ever so tightly in His loving arms….
I’m so sorry that such a wonderful family has lost the youngest of the the sons of HARRY & LELA.
Thayne was a few years younger than I but he was always kinda’ tagging along with his older brother, LYLE and me as we did the ‘things’ teenage boys do. He impressed me with his mental acuity and ability to get us all out of trouble at one time or another.
My heart hurts for his progeny, but yet I celebrate his life and successes in this passage to prepare a place for his family. Although he will be greatly missed, take comfort in knowing this time is just like a work assignment for him. You will be reunited, he is pain free, he is patiently waiting for you, those he loved greatly.
His Savior has received him and said to him “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Goodbye Thayne you were a dear friend and coworker. You and I had many great talks together about work, family and life. You could always be counted on for a smile, joke or a positive word of encouragement. It was a Honor to call you friend and have you be a part of my life. I learned many things from you working with you and shared many of the same life goals and loves of things. You Battled Long and Hard my Friend now REST IN PEACE! Your work here is done but your work on the other side has just started!! HIGH BALL
Robbie and family,
I am very sorry to hear about your Dad. He was a kind and gentle man, and his friendship will be missed by many, including myself. Robbie, I think that’s why you and I hit it off so well, I had nothing but love and respect for him, and I saw a lot of him in you. Be proud my friend, to be able to call such a great man, your Dad!
So sorry to hear of Thayne’s passing. He was a remarkable man, co-worker and friend. We enjoyed many times bike rides together on the road out west of Milford. He was quick with a smile and encouraging word. To Jason and Robbie and Deb and the rest of the family, may you be comforted with memories of happier times and may the peace of gospel knowledge comfort each of you.
So sad to hear about Thayne’s passing. We just loved his visits at the Radiology Department here at American Fork Hospital over the years when he came to take Deb to lunch. We love Deb and her family and are sending prayers.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Since Thayne and I were cousins born only two days apart, I’ve always jokingly called him the old man. However, he was not old, and my heart goes out to you, his immediate family. Deb, you were a wonderful wife, and he was so proud of his children. Take heart in the fact that you WILL be reunited with him (but not soon I hope). We love you!
Judye Rodabough Clisby
Tillman Rodabough
Thayne is truly a remarkable man. I have nothing but admiration for him and the way he led his life. He truly is a man of God. It is my honor to be able to call him my friend. Jason and all of the family may our Father in Heaven bless you all in this trying time. You are in our hearts and prayers.
Dear Debbie & family,
I was shocked and saddened to hear about Thayne… It’s a hard pill to swallow to lose a close friend that you grew up with, from as far back as I can remember growing up in South Provo. Thayne was always the most popular guy to go do things with and just have fun. He was a great example to all of us guys as we were growing up and we could always trust him and count on him for anything. I can still remember his laugh and how fun it was for us guys to be together and do things. It’s too bad that after High School we all kind of lost touch with each other as we went our own ways.
Our prayers are with you and your family, rest assured that he’s having a phenomenal reunion with family & friends on the other side and I look forward to seeing him again.