John, this is a picture from a wild and crazy adventure we had with you in 2001.  Your family was throwing you a surprise birthday party and we had to get you out of the house for a while.  I've never met a more enthusiastic "first time off-roader", but you fit the description perfectly.  I was honored to spend time with you on this Earth, and I certainly believe that you are happy and at peace in heaven!  Till we meet again.

John Rodney, there was always something more. I am one of his brothers, James, and I want to tell more. For most of his friends he is John but for me he has always been Rod. The first home he had was in Northwest Denver, it set on a hill. We had a little pedal car, an older, beat up blue kid’s toy. He was maybe five; an older cousin and I would give him a cheap plastic helmet and turn him loose at the top of the hill. He would bounce off and back on the sidewalk and acquired the name’HotRod’. He became John when he first went to school, at Bethlehem but for me and early family, he was and is Rod.

My best memory of John Hill.  I knew John, but we didn’t become friends until 1964 in Junior High School.  John was a great guy and great friend. He even got me a job working at The National Shirt Shop at the Lakeside Mall.        In the summer of 1974, John had his boat at Jackson Reservoir, fully gassed and ready to go. He had snagged a picnic spot on the beach with a grill.  Around noon as John was steering the boat and I was full of bravado, we headed for his spot on the beach when I saw the girl who had told me she “might show up” waving, I waved back.  John and I made eye contact and he gave a big smile and thumbs up and accelerated around for another short loop. Tom foolery was afoot.  John stomped on it and we were traveling faster than ever.   John turned and yelled “Geronimo!” It was like playing Crack the Whip, jumping off the wake I  yelled  “Cowabunga!”  That was my first mistake in a comedy of errors. Everyone now on the beach was paying attention,  going full speed and  imagining myself throwing the tow rope into the air and stepping swiftly out of the  ski onto the beach.  Except I was traveling so fast and was so close to the beach the water skis back fin lodged into the sand sending me catapulting forward , I hit the water running, but the water depth slowed down my running as my upper body continued forward at a faster speed.   Everyone watched and cheered as I took a header into the water.  John was laughing so hard that he had to beach the boat to try to regain his composure.  As he ran laughing up the beach he’s yelling, “Let’s do that again!  My turn!”   John being both a great athlete and water skiing ace jumped the wake at full speed, smoothly rode up to the water’s edge and gracefully stepped onto the beach, barely getting his feet wet.  Cowabunga John.   Tom Berger

Masters 2008.  What a special time we had at Augusta National.  I’ll always remember that week, too much fun!  RIP.  Your friend and neighbor.

OBITUARY

John Rodney Hill

October 31, 1951 – August 20, 2025

Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services – Runyan-Stevenson

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services