Rodney Eugene Dalley

Rodney Eugene “Rod” Dalley, 85, passed away on March 12, 2026. Rod was born November 8, 1940, in Fruita, Colorado, to Joe and Margaret Dalley. A third-generation Mesa County pioneer, Rod spent his life deeply connected to the community he proudly called home.

A 1959 graduate of Fruita Union High School, Rod married Betty Joann Wilcox on March 25, 1962. Their marriage would span more than six decades and was the foundation of a life built around family and service. Shortly after they were married, Rod served his country in the United States Army in Korea, where he was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant.

Rod worked hard throughout his life, including time with Meadow Gold Dairies, as a manager at 7-Eleven, and later as a manager at Gary Refining Company in Fruita. He also served as union president for Local 2655. In addition to his career, Rod dedicated many years of service to the community as Fire Chief of the Lower Valley Fire Protection District.

Rod believed in investing in the place he called home. He built the Loma store and generously donated land to the school district for what is now Loma Elementary School. He also provided land for the Loma Fire Station, supporting the firefighters and community he cared about deeply.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family, and he was happiest when those he loved were gathered close.

Rod was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Margaret Dalley; his siblings Joe Dalley, Ginger Womack, Dorothy James, Jane Parrish, and Catherine Pixler; and his son, Daniel Carrol Dalley.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Joann Dalley; daughter Ronda (Vince) Martin of Wyoming; sons Bob (Jennifer) Dalley of Grand Junction and Michael (Amanda) Dalley of Florida; sisters Patricia “Tish” Munoz of Arizona and Myrna McGranahan of Fruita; brother Jimmy Dalley of Canada; 16 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 21, from 2–4 p.m. at Appleton Christian Church.

Rod will be remembered as a man who quietly built things that mattered—his family, his community, and a legacy that will continue in the generations that follow.