Rodney Victor Lowder October 25, 1949 - December 22, 2022

Rodney Victor Lowder returned to his heavenly home on December 22, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with melanoma. Rod was born on October 25, 1949, to Robert LeRoy Lowder and Nelda Mae Smith in Rupert, Idaho, and was the third of their eight children. He grew up working on a farm, which he didn’t particularly enjoy, but he and his siblings always found a way to have a good time. He did find joy in planting flowers and making the yard beautiful for his mother.

Following his graduation from Minadoka County High School, Class of 1968, Rod faithfully served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the British South Mission. After returning home, he attended Ricks College, where he met his sweetheart, Marsha Ann Tilley. They were married on June 13, 1973, in the Ogden, Utah temple. During this time, Rod worked for a floral shop in Rigby, Idaho, and found his talent for working with flowers. He and Marsha moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where Rod continued to work and study floral design. While in Arizona, they welcomed two children into their family. When an opportunity to purchase a flower shop became available in Spanish Fork, Utah, Rod and Marsha moved their family to the small town and made the purchase, creating Spanish Fork Floral and Sweet Shoppe. They welcomed three more children into their family, and the floral shop became a family affair as Rod, Marsha, and their children all worked together to make the shop a success. Rod’s floral arrangements comforted and cheered up many.

Rod sold the business after their youngest child was grown, and he and Marsha returned to sunny Arizona. He found fulfilling work in the local school district as a detention aide, security guard, and special education aide. He enjoyed working with troubled teens. He found the best way to get through to them was to just listen to and talk with them. Rod and Marsha retired and returned to Utah to be closer to family, first living in St. George and then Payson.

Wherever Rod lived, he was a master gardener and worked hard to create the most beautiful yard and abundant garden. He was happiest outside working in the dirt or building something. He particularly loved it when his children and grandchildren were around to help him. Rod’s greatest joy was spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was known as “Grandpa Trouble” because he could always get the kids riled up. He enjoyed making them laugh and was a great listener. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to follow their dreams. He was a gentle giant.

Rod had a devout testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation. He had a perfect brightness of hope and an optimistic outlook in the face of trials. Rod instilled this faith in his eternal family.

Rod is survived by his wife, Marsha; his children, Matthew (Elizabeth Biggs) Lowder, Payson, Utah; Aprel (Cory) Mendenhall, Mapleton, Utah; Nichole (Lyle) Fausett, Payson, Utah; and Miriam (Devin) Hathcock, Saratoga Springs, Utah; his grandchildren, Tristan Lowder, Ashland (Nathan) Quigley, Kaleigh (Logan) Hansen; Leah, Nicholas, Miranda, and Mallory Mendenhall; Colton, Sydnie, Trevor, Ashlie, Kylie, and Samantha Fausett; Jonathan, Brickell, and Jason, Wagner; Taylor (Benji) Witham, Connor, and Keira Hathcock; his siblings, Robert (Kay) Lowder, Dennis (Sharon) Lowder, Judy (George) Allen, Karla (Brent) Wilson, Cindy (Loren) Smith, and Dell Ray Lowder. He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Nelda Lowder; his parents-in-law, John and Rulla Tilley; his daughter, Felecia Lowder Wagner; and his brother, Brent Lowder.

Memorial services for Rod will include a viewing on Thursday, December 29, 2022, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main St., Spanish Fork. A second viewing will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022, 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m., at the Mountain View 6th Ward, 789 Arrowhead Trail, Payson. Interment will be at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery, 420 South 400 East, Spanish Fork.

The Lowder family wishes to express deep gratitude to Dr. Joanne Jeter and her nurse, Susan, for the kind and compassionate care they provided Rod during his treatments.