Obituary of Rodger Allen Walling

Rodger Walling was born in Spokane, WA, the youngest (and probably the favorite) of four children. He grew up in Spokane and then in Homedale. In high school he loved working at the Homedale bowling alley. Besides bowling he also enjoyed auto mechanics, which led to a lifelong love of cars. When the homecoming theme was the movie Grease his ‘57 Chevy custom wagon was the star of the show. He graduated in 1980 not long after Mt. St. Helens erupted. Rodger furthered his education in auto mechanics at the Phoenix Institute of Technology. He spent time in Louisiana driving a lunch truck and in California dredging for gold with his best friend Sam. The next adventure took him to Alaska where he learned the sheetmetal trade. He became a skilled craftsman and a leader in his field.

Rodger met his first wife Sherri in Alaska and they started their family. Jessica, Dakota, and Hunter were his life's greatest joy. He was a fun and engaged dad.

Rodger was a pretty good golfer and became known as the guy who broke his leg golfing. He stepped in a hole coming down a hill at Quail Hollow and had to be carried off the course.

After a workplace injury forced an early retirement Rodger and his second wife Linda focused on family – lovingly spending numerous hours caring for grandkids and caring for Rodger's ailing father, Service that was much appreciated by the family.

Rodger is survived by his mother Peggy Boynton, his children Jessica and Travis Kaden. Dakota and Ashley Walling, Hunter and Miranda Walling, his three precious granddaughters: Oakley, Aliyah, and Tatum, siblings Debi and Jerry Taylor, Jim and Alisha Walling, Betsy Walling, and best friend Sam Smith. He was preceded in death by his father Jim Walling Sr., brother-in-law Mark Hampton, and cousins Ken Olsen and Alice Mullins.

A celebration of life will be held 3-6 pm on Sunday April 16, 2023 at the Homedale bowling alley. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be served.