Barry Burton Rodland, 72

Surrounded by his wife of 46 years, his four sons, four daughters-in-law and twelve grandchildren, Barry Burton Rodland, passed from life into life, (for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:8), on May 27, 2022.

Born in Everett, Wash., on Feb. 15, 1950, Barry grew up in a close-knit family and community in Snohomish, Wash. He excelled in sports as a young boy, growing to be a stand-out baseball player at Snohomish High School. He received a baseball scholarship to Washington State University upon graduating in 1968.

He met his sweetheart while serving as Young Life leaders at Pullman High School. Volunteer coaching at Pullman High while attending college classes, he began the pattern of leaving an indelible mark on students, faculty, and community wherever the two sojourned. They were married in August of 1975 and began life together in Prineville, Ore., where Barry taught social studies and coached all three of his favorite sports: baseball, football, and basketball.

Upon securing his masters in counseling, Barry and Cindy moved to Coupeville, Wash., where he served as the soul counselor for the tiny district on picturesque Whidbey Island. Barry and Cindy’s final teaching/coaching stop lasted for thirty-four years at his beloved Snohomish High where he counseled and coached guys and gals, most of whom will forever be impacted for good because Coach Rodland cared for them.

His love for coaching his four sons amidst the plethora of young men on the football and baseball fields paled in comparison to his desire to guide them to becoming great men. In 2017, the two searched for the perfect place to settle in their retirement. Knowing they couldn’t split themselves between the three cities in which their four sons lived, they chose the one close to the middle which, in their opinion, happened to be the most pristine, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Everywhere they lived, Barry left his mark on all whom he met, imparting life, wisdom, and friendship. Case in point: The Rodland clan began their summer adventures as soon as the school year sauntered into summer. Beginning when their boys were young, annual fishing trips to Neah Bay, camping trips along the Oregon Coast, and trailer trips to places far and wide invariably led them to encounters with people whom Barry knew or who knew people Barry knew. Barry loved to boat, fish, camp, bike ride, coach and watch sports, but never without his wife, a family member, or dear friend.

His love for people, sharing life journeys, and words of wisdom far surpassed the exhilaration of the great catch (but only a little!) Barry’s life will live on vibrantly for he instilled in his four sons the desire to live purposeful, godly, intentional lives. His passion for Jesus and his desire that others experience that same joy gave him his purpose for living. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

Barry was preceded in death by his father Ray and his mother Pearl. He will be sorely missed by his wife Cindy, his sons Eric, Josh, Jeff, and Kevin; their wives Nicole, Brittany, Lindsay, and Holly, the 12 little people, his beloved grandkids, who never ceased to brighten his life, his sister Linda, a host of extended family members who cherished him greatly, friends and acquaintances scattered abroad who are better people having known Barry.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice of North Idaho would be greatly appreciated.

Arrangements are provided by Yates Funeral Home. Online registry and condolences may be found at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.