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