October 31, 1951 - July 7, 2018 Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Tatman family.
Rod passed on July 7, 2018, at the age of 66, while doing what he loved, boating and waterskiing on the Delta. He was surrounded by family with his loving partner, Teri, at his side.
Rod was a very loved man; he had a huge family and many friends. He is survived by his life partner, Teri, his parents, Dale and Doreen, his children, Ryan and Jaime (Sean), his beautiful granddaughter, Lillian, Teri’s children, Candice and Travis, his brothers and sisters, Gary (Barbara), Dennis (Laure), and Kelly (Michael), and many nieces and nephews. Rod is preceded in death by his son, Benjamin, and his late wife, Christine.
He had a distinguished career with service for the federal government totaling 37 years. After eight years of serving as the Defense Distribution San Joaquin, California (DDJC) Chief of Installation Operations Division, in November 2007, he became the Site Director of Defense Logistics Agency, San Joaquin until his retirement in January 2013. Before going to DDJC in 1996, he served as the Chief of the Weight Handling Equipment Division, Chief of Crane Engineering Branch, and Chief of the Public Works Utilities/Equipment Engineering Branch at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, CA. He was a 1975 graduate of California State University, Chico with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers since 1981.
Rod was very active and believed in living life to its fullest. He spent his retirement traveling the world with Teri, boating, golfing, gardening, hunting with his brothers and son, and enjoying his family. Rod will always be remembered by his family and friends for being very meticulous and organized, taking way too long to make breakfast, his “yes, let’s do it!” and “don’t make it complicated” attitude, making Teri feel loved and supported every day, being tough as nails, his “paddle feet”, being a very “patient” driver, being wrapped around his granddaughter Lillian’s little finger… His happy-go-lucky and active spirit will live on in those who knew and loved him.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 14, 10am-8pm, at Cherokee Memorial Park at 14165 North Beckman Rd. in Lodi, 95240. Additionally, a celebration of Rod’s life will be held on Sunday July 22, 12-3pm, at Elkhorn Golf Club at 1050 Elkhorn Dr. in Stockton, 95209.
Services
The visitation will be held on Saturday July 14, 2018, from 10:00am to 8:00pm in visitation rooms in the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd in Lodi, CA.