Rodney Ray Dimitroff was born on July 26, 1941, to Rode and Thelma (Bryant) Dimitroff in Bakersfield, California. When Rodney was six years old, his family returned to their ranch in Sofia, New Mexico. He attended the Sofia School House, spending some middle school winters in Albuquerque. In 1959, he graduated from Clayton High School, where he met the love of his life, Georgia Leah Lechner.
Rodney and Georgia were married on November 12, 1959, in Clayton, NM, beginning a loving union that spanned 66 years. Together they raised three children and are proud grandparents and great-grandparents.
Rodney devoted his life to farming and ranching in Sofia, New Mexico. For 27 years, he also served as a school bus driver, carefully and safely carrying generations of local children along his rural route. He knew every road and every student, becoming a trusted and friendly presence for families and the wider community through his years as a bus driver and his service on numerous community boards.
Rodney had a remarkable memory and a deep love for the place he called home. He enjoyed sharing stories of growing up in Sofia, recalling both the hardships of rural life and the fun times that shaped those years.
Rodney was a talented welder and craftsman, known for his ability to coil a rope around a set of steer horns and shape it perfectly into a rope pot, as well as for his distinctive metal art. He never met a stranger and was widely known for his warm spirit, easy conversation, and genuine interest in the people around him.
Above all else, Rodney loved his family. Watching his grandchildren was one of his favorite pastimes, and time spent with them brought him great joy. He leaves behind a legacy of love, hard work, and kindness, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
SURVIVORS:
WIFE: Georgia Dimitroff of Clayton, New Mexico.
CHILDREN: Brenda Cadorette (Paul) of Houston, Texas; Steve Dimitroff (Miki) of Fort Sumner, New Mexico; and Cheryl Butterfield (Jimmy) of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
GRANDCHILDREN: Jamie Labrier (Stacey); Randi Labrier (Rich); Kari Gonzalez (Rudy); Derek Dimitroff (Jordan); Cass Dimitroff (Quinn); Braeden Dimitroff; Hailey Dimitroff; Kylie Butterfield; Kreston Butterfield; and Rose McRee. "Extra kids " that held a special place in Rodney's heart: Bill McDowell (Thedra) and Brad Green (Jan).
GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Kael Harmon, Braxton /Bohnstedt, Ethan Rodriguez, Carver Dimitroff, Deacon Dimitroff, Olive Dimitroff, Sutton Johnson, Cash Chamness, and Presley Chamness.
SISTER: Lorraine Ellis of Amistad, New Mexico
SISTER-IN-LAW: Mary Lutes (Billy) of Sedan, New Mexico.
And numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
