Rodney M Tovey

Rodney M Tovey passed away on May 11, 2023, surrounded by his wife and children after a long battle with multiple illnesses.

Rod was born in Logan, Utah on October 1, 1951 to Katherine (Morgan) Tovey and Terrel Reynolds Tovey. Rod was the second of eleven children and spent his youth in Logan and in Blackfoot, Idaho, where he graduated from Blackfoot High School in 1969. During and after high school he worked for several area farmers and spent a considerable amount of time on the local ski hills. He attended Ricks College for a short time but always joked that he was more focused on good skiing and his close group of family and friends.

Rod chose to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was assigned to Birmingham, England. He loved his mission and made several lasting friendships with his mission companions and people he got to teach. He attended BYU where he met Charlene Winn from Idaho Falls, Idaho. They were married in the Idaho Falls temple in 1976. Rod and Char lived in Hermiston, Oregon for a short time and he then attended the University of Idaho in Moscow. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree and an MBA with honors and was excited to take a position in Pocatello to be nearer to family and friends. 

Rod was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had a strong testimony of the gospel, even through all of his afflictions and health issues. His health made serving difficult, and

his fondest memories were serving with the young men and helping the youth. He maintained his sense of humor and his focus on his family, even with his many stays in hospital and physical therapy. In the fall of 2022, he beat a long round of sickness and got to see his grandchildren for a few more months--a wedding engagement, musical performances, ukulele sessions, good long visits, and flag football. We are very grateful as a family that we had these last few weeks to be with him before his passing.

Rod is survived by his wife (Char), son Matt (Amy), son Ned (Serena), daughter Tara Burrell (Davey); six granddaughters, Katherine, Madelyn, Sophia, Hadlie, Caroline, Isabella; grandson Taliesin (he was very excited when he finally got a grandson); his father, Terrel; his 9 siblings; and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins too great to number. He was proceeded in death by his infant brother (Richard); mother (Katherine); a number of dear aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his grandparents Edith and Lester

Tovey and Edmond and Catherine Morgan.

We are grateful for his medical providers, staff at Portneuf Medical Center, staff at Quinn Meadows, and all of the family and friends that provided support for Rod and Char over the last several months. You did good, dad—until we meet again!

Services can be viewed virtually with this link: Rod Tovey Live Webcast

Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting the Tribute Wall tab above.