Rodney LeRoy Poland

RODNEY "ROD" LEROY POLAND July 27, 1939 ~ January 22, 2013 Rodney LeRoy Poland was born in Ellensburg, WA to Elmer and Elda (Gleason) Poland on July 27, 1939. He graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1957 and went into the National Guard. He married Sandra Boggs in Vancouver, WA on April 18, 1959. They raised their family in the Vancouver and Orchards area and have lived in Battle Ground for the last 15 years. Rodney was involved in the trucking industry for approximately 40 years. He drove long haul truck for Gordon Fast Freight, Sorenson Trucking, and Oak Harbor. He also was an instructor at Commercial Drivers Training School for 11 years; he retired in 2005. Rodney loved the Lord Jesus and was ready to meet his maker. He went to his heavenly home on January 22, 2013, only 20 days after being diagnosed with cancer. His wife, children, most of his grandchildren, and one of his great-grandchildren were right by his side. He is survived by Sandra, his wife of 53 years, his brother Leonard Poland and sister Geraldine Poland, his three children Russell and his wife Rhonda Poland, Beth and her husband David Johnson, and Lorile and her husband Mark Roper, his grandchildren Ryan Poland, Tyler Poland, Hunter Poland, Jeffery Koupal, Joey Koupal, Katie Johnson, Patrick Johnson, Tiffanie Blankenship, Allegra Blankenship, Isaac Blankenship, Levi Blankenship, Rebekkah Blankenship, Nathanyel Blankenship, and his great-grandchildren Noah, Abigail, Olivia, MeKenna, Lexxas, Jackson, Arayah, Andrew, and Damien. Pastor Tom Barker will be doing the graveside service at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The following poem was written for Rodney by his granddaughter Allegra the day after he passed. It Is Not Goodbye, It Is See You When I Get There Beautiful blue eyes, Reflections of the heavenly skies, I will always be the apple of your eye, So much respect for your strength and might, I will miss you day and night, Free of suffering with deceased loved ones in sight, I will look for you on a starry night, You have been an inspiration, A wonderful husband to your wife, That special true love I want for my life, On my wedding day I will have an empty chair, I will place a rose upon it, I want to feel your presence there, I wish you could physically be there, It's just not fair, The tears that I shed are because your gone, This smile upon my face is because your legacy lives on, Thank you Grandpa for showing me right from wrong, And overall for being so strong, I am thankful for all of the years, You were close and helped me through, I will always remember my precious Grandpa, Whose love was honest and true, I am thankful that God blessed me, With a Grandpa as special as you, It is hard to believe, Your life on earth is really through, Lord thank you for the angel, You lent us for awhile, Now he shines in heaven, With wings of pure white, I have to close this poem now, But I refuse to say goodbye, You will forever be in my heart and in my mind. Love you always, The Apple Of Your Eye!

Rodney LeRoy Poland

July 27, 1939 - January 22, 2013