Rod McAlmond

On June 6, 2023, Rodney “Rod” Lewis McAlmond passed away at the age of 68 in Great Falls, MT. Rod was born in Billings, MT on August 22, 1954 to Keith and Eunice McAlmond. He was one of 11 children. They later moved to Helena, MT where he grew up and graduated from Helena High School in 1972.

Rod met his first love, Colleen, in 1975 when they were both employed at Kamloops Distributing in Helena. They married in August of 1977 and together they had two beautiful daughters, Ashley Ann and Lana Rae. Rod and Colleen later divorced.

Rod joined the Navy in January 1977 and served four years on the USS Reasoner in San Diego, CA. Rod met many lifelong friends while serving and his life in the Navy were some of his best memories. Rod was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1981 and he and Colleen moved back to Helena until 1989 when his outdoor advertising career moved them to Missoula.

While Rod leaves those of us that love him so much, we will never forget the example he set for us. Rod was grateful for each breath he took and thanked God everyday for everyone he loved. He was so proud of his family, his girls and grandchildren. Every friend Rod made was a friend for life. He loved to recall the numerous stories from his days playing/singing in a band, working on a dairy farm, golfing with his buddies, hunting with his best friends, Dad and brothers (we won’t forget about Wilbur) and so many from the Navy.

Most recently, Rod enjoyed his time in retirement, split between Lincoln , MT and Arizona with his best friend and girlfriend, Reg. While their time together wasn’t near long enough, Rod loved Reg and every minute he spent with her. They often referred to themselves as “unsupervised” and they loved to read on the deck, laugh and have as much fun as they could alongside their dog, Pearl.

Rod was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Carol McAlmond, Lana Baum and Judy Spieker, and brother Brian McAlmond. Survivors include his partner, Reg Heikkila, siblings Monica (Jack) Thompson, Monte (Diane) McAlmond, Rick (Barb) McAlmond, Bill (Allee) McAlmond, Mark (Krista) McAlmond and Barbara McAlmond (Todd Bingham), brother in law Darrell Baum, sister in law Glennda McAlmond, daughters, Ashley (Patrick) Mulligan and Lana (Nik) Benson, grandchildren, Braden and Ethan Rowe, Hanna Mulligan and Aubree, Vivienne and Remi Benson, numerous extended family, nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends who will all miss him dearly.

A memorial service for Rod will be held on June 12, 2023 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Missoula, MT at 1:00 pm with a reception at the church to follow. Online Condolences may be left at gardencityfh.com.