Rodney E. Thompson

November 10, 1945 ~ December 7, 2013
December 16, 2013
Rodney “Rod” Eugene Thompson passed away on Saturday, December 07, 2013, at his daughter’s home in Bonners Ferry at the age of 68 years old.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in the early summer of 2014.

He was born in Seton, Illinois, November 10, 1945, to John W. Thompson and Fern Thompson. He had two siblings, brother Jerry Thompson, Santa Rosa, California, and sister Linda Sue Hardman, Brighton, Colorado.

Throughout his years he resided in Woodland, California, Carson City and Dayton, Nevada, Laclede and Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Troy, Montana, the Libby Care Center, Yaak, Montana and his final year with his daughter Tala in Bonners Ferry.

Rod work as a mechanic throughout his life. In his earlier years Rod raced outlaws and sprint cars throughout Nevada, California and Arizona. He loved to go fishing along the Clark Fork River in Noxon, Montana.

In November 2002, Rod met his partner Richelle Rode. In 2003 Rod at the age of 57, got the surprise of a lifetime with only eleven days notice for the arrival of his baby girl, who he named Tala Arella Thompson, "Tala" a native American meaning word “wolf”, and "Arella" meaning “Angel Messenger.”

Tala was born a preemie and was born with many obstacles ahead. Rod spent the next seven years sharing his life with his daughter. Rod took charge as a proud papa and spent his last year by his daughter’s side until his health would no longer allow it.

He is survived by his daughter Tala Arella Thompson of Bonners Ferry, mother Fern Thompson of Canoga Park, California, sister Linda Sue Hardman of Brighton, Colorado and brother Jerry Thompson of Santa Rosa, California. Many close friends throughout the Northern Idaho and Western Montana. Rod was preceded in death by his dear friend, Chief Raymond Abraham of Kootenai Tribe of Idaho.

Rod (Papa) will be missed by his daughter and his close friends. Thank you to the caregivers at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital, Libby Care Center and Lincoln County Hospice and Dr. LaCoy for the care and you have given him.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.