On Friday, Aug. 4, 2017, the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley lost one its finest home builders. Roderick Neil Thomas passed at his Clarkston Heights home after a short battle with congestive heart failure. He was 88.
Rod was born June 9, 1929, in Bowman, N.D., to Ethel and Guy Thomas. In 1934, the family moved to Baker, Mont., where Guy worked as an electrician. During his school years, Rod was active in Boy Scouts, football and basketball. Summers were spent working hard on the family homestead in Mott, N.D.
Shortly after his graduation from Baker High School in 1947, Rod followed the suggestion of his cousin, Jeannine, and moved to Clarkston, where he apprenticed with his uncle, Harold Ebert, a local builder. To his delight, he found a charming community, loving family, a vocation for which he was well suited and no mosquitoes.
On June 30, 1950, Rod married Nancy Marie Plunkett of Clarkston. She was the love of his life. Together, they raised three lovely children: David, Don and Diane. Rod spent his spare time improving their home, hunting, traveling across the country to church conventions and spending time with family. Eventually, he built three custom homes for the family.
Rod had a genuine faith in the promises of God, the great hope of the Bible for all who have died, that they shall live again. For Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man, a ransom for all. Christ's millennial kingdom will bring the restitution of all that was lost in Adam.
Over the years, Rod worked on many local projects, including bridges, schools and churches. In time, he became a self-employed contractor, building quality homes with unique touches. Rod spent many years building homes across the Pacific Northwest for Capp Homes. Job sites were frequently in remote locations. The family spent summer months living out of a travel trailer - David and Don building alongside their dad, Nancy and Diane taking care of their boys and the family cats supervising it all.
In 1983, Rod and Nancy moved to Gresham, Ore., where Rod spent many years building the Bible Student's Retirement Center for his church. During this time, they also devoted themselves to caring for their son David, who had become severely handicapped.
Rod and Nancy returned to Clarkston in 1999 when Rod was diagnosed with lymphoma. The prognosis was grim, but he beat the odds and resumed building. Rod successfully fought several additional cancers over the years, but it was Nancy's sudden death in 2010 that was most devastating. Rod continued on with his faith, the support of his family and the sense of accomplishment he gained by serving others.
From 2011 to 2017, Rod did volunteer work for Interlink, Inc. He gave rides to the elderly and those with disabilities. He donated more than 6,000 hours of service and more than 35,000 miles of transportation.
Rod is survived by son Don (and wife Becky) Thomas of Fontana, Calif.; daughter Diane (and husband Dave) Bennett of Asotin; granddaughter Lusha (and husband Jason) Evans of Colton; and sister Carmen of Jonesboro, Ga. He was preceded in death by wife Nancy and son David.
Those who knew Rod well will remember his good looks, his big, blue eyes, vise-grip handshake, love of family, friends and the Lord, quality built homes, willingness to help others, honesty and integrity. As his Interlink clients so often told his sister Carmen, "He's the best one."
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Merchant Funeral Home in Clarkston. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations are made to Interlink, Inc., 817A Sixth St., Clarkston, WA 99403.
