Rod Ewing

Rod Ewing

Rod’s life in Alaska began with a promise to his parents in September of 1972. He was to return his brother Mark, who was spending time with him in Massachusetts, and upon arriving to hang out here for a couple weeks before heading to start a new DJ job in the Bay Area. Years later he would tell you with a shrug of his shoulders, “I just keep extending.” That extension ended on 11/4/2020 at home in Meadow Lakes; on that day he began another visit with his parents — in heaven.

The decision to remain prompted the need for income. He interviewed with Harry Purcell at Husky Mobile Home Manufacturing of Palmer. As Harry gazed across his desk at this long-haired hippy with John Lennon glasses, he asked, “Done much heavy lifting?” To which Rod replied, “The heaviest thing I’ve lifted is a double album by The Beatles.” We’re pretty sure it wasn’t the long hair or the glasses that made Harry hire him that day, but a personality that allowed him connect with all he met and worked with through the many years to follow. This first job began years of employment within the state that spanned a multitude of industries.

The writing of this obit for our loved one has been a struggle – how do you describe with a simple set of words in a tiny column in a newspaper a complex and diverse life story? Because of this dilemma, we have set up a Memorial Website. Rod chose not to have a service, so there will not be any telling stories about him out of school in a church. In this space, perhaps you will meet one or more of the Rods you didn’t know. Be it employee, employer, DJ, writer, storyteller, pilot, lover of music, photographer, artist, entrepreneur, community activist and volunteer, etc., we believe you will enjoy the experience on your first visit and hope you return often. Please join us at his memorial site to share your Rod stories, which are sure to include Rod to the Rescue, as he was only a phone call away to many through the years. We encourage you to leave your story, pictures and or videos at: www.forevermissed.com/rod-ewing

He was an amazing son, brother, uncle, father, companion and grandfather. Rod has joined his parents, Rod Sr. and Jeannie Ewing, nephews Jeremy and Tiger, and many 4-legged companions. He is survived by his other half of 20 years, Donnita; his daughter Alysia, her husband Ryan, and their daughter Avery; his son Josh, his wife Shelley, and their children Elijah, Breydan, Brynlee, and Wesley; brother Mark and his son Cameron; and brother Shell, his wife Cindy, and their children Jared, Noah, and Katie.

Should you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, we suggest Michael J. Fox Research for Parkinson’s.