Rodney L. 'Rod' Jewett, age 72, of Edgemont, SD, passed away August 21, 2012, at Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, SD, after being ill for quite a long time.

Rod was born May 24, 1940, in Tacoma, WA to Vernon R. and Ruby (Landis) Jewett.

When Rod was 91/2 the family went to the Philippines where his father was the Education Secretary for North Philippines Union. As a young boy he attended grade school and graduated from Golden Gate Academy in Oakland, CA. Later from various specialty classes, mostly in automotive work. Rod finished a shipbuilder's course, learning to read blueprints, skills that carried on to later jobs.

Rod met his wife, Mary Alyce Scott, in Lincoln, NE at his brother's wedding. They married August 14, 1960, in Oakland, CA, and lived in El Cerrito, CA, and Richmond, CA, until 1966 when they moved to Virginia. In 2003 they moved to Edgemont to retire and care for Mary's parents.

Rod was a member of the Hot Springs Seventh Day Adventist Church. He was a member of a CB Club in Fairfield, CA. He was Assistant Fire Chief and was on the ambulance team.

Rod's greatest accomplishments were his devotion to his wife of 52 years and his children, Vern and Lori, his three grandchildren and the many friends he made during his life and the love he had for the Lord.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Alyce Jewett of Edgemont; son, Vern (Amber) Jewett of Campion, CO; daughter, Lori Jewett of Walla Walla, WA; brother, Richard (Billie) Jewett of Mesa, AZ and three grandchildren, Austin, Alex and Jonathan Jewett.

There will be no visitation.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, September 3, 2012, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Hot Springs with Pastor Joe Story officiating. Interment will follow at the Edgemont Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in Rod's name to benefit the Edgemont Volunteer Fire Department.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.