John Rodden

John had an enormous capacity for hard work throughout his life. At 14, he was hired as a laborer to do farmwork in Northern Ireland. In his later teens and twenties, he travelled to Scotland and worked in the steel mills. He also worked in England and Wales where he took the jobs he could find, doing hard, physical labor and sending money home to his family.

But John also had the spirit of adventure and the desire to build a better life for himself and one day for his own family. So at the age of 27, he sailed to New York arriving to the Christmas lights on the Statue of Liberty at the port of Ellis Island. He soon went to Philadelphia, and within 3 years, turned himself into a skilled carpenter. He was an incredibly hard worker, returning to the construction field in his 50s, keeping up with men in their 20s. He also bought and ran the Normandy Tavern and did every job imaginable there. He was known to be generous, tireless and fair.

At 29, John found the woman who would be the love of his life. Rose Gallagher grew up at Doon Well, just a few miles from the Rodden homestead; and their paths had crossed at school and dances. Rose and John became inseparable. He was her rock, and she was his soulmate. And together they scrimped and saved and raised four boys: John Jr., Ed, Tom, and Paul. For John and Rose, nothing was more important than the family. All of their energy and thoughts were centered on the well-being and education of the four boys.

As a husband, John was devoted, kind and loving. As a couple, John and Rose had a marriage that was an inspiration to those who knew them. As a father, he was the man that all of his sons aspire to be. As a neighbor or friend, he was always ready to lend a helping hand or the last few dollars in his pocket. As a human being, he was a model of humility and integrity.

We will always remember his stories, his easy laugh, and his ability to enjoy all of the simple things in this life.

A Rosary will be recited at seven o'clock in the evening of Monday, the 22nd of July 2013, in the chapel of Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home in Georgetown, Texas. The Funeral Mass will be at ten o'clock in the morning of Tuesday, 23rd of July 2013, at Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church in Andice, Texas with Father Larry Stehling officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Arrangements by Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628 (512)863-2564.