John Erling Rod, age 97, passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at Bill Nichols State Veterans Home. He is survived by his son, Alan J. Rod of Montgomery; grandchildren, Stephanie Morgan of Austin, TX, Rachel Stewart of Montgomery, A. Jeffrey Rod of Montgomery, Michael J. Rod of Montgomery; 3 great-grandchildren; brother, Carl Rod of Winter Haven, FL; brother-in-law, Gunnar A. Robinson, Jr.; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Esther Celia Robinson Rod; father, John Oscar Rod; mother, Gertrude Sundstrom Rod; and sister-in-law, Margaret Leonard.
John was born in Gardner, MA and was a longtime resident of Dartmouth, MA before moving to Alabama to be closer to family. He was a graduate of Templeton High School in Massachusetts, class of 1940. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He owned and operated Rod's Inc. for 16 years and retired from Steelco Sales Corporation after 15 years in 1987. He was an active participant in the Dartmouth Friends of the Elderly and was a member of the Star in the East Masonic Lodge, Abraham H. Howland Masonic Lodge AF & AM, the VFW Lodge, Post 6643 in Freetown, MA, the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Smith Mills Congregational Church in Darthmouth, MA.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 3:00 PM at Curtis and Son North Chapel with Rev. Russell Hestley officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. He will be buried in Cedar Knoll Cemetry in Taunton, MA.
Online memorials may be made at www.curtisandsonfh.com.
Curtis and Son North Chapel will handle the arrangements.
