Timothy Rhoton

Timothy Phil Rhoton was born August 3, 1943; the seventh of eight children to Wilson Dow Rhoton and Serena Lila Penrod. Both were from White Mountain pioneer families. He joined his 3 brothers, Verl, Rex, and Kent; and his sisters, Colleen, and the twins Carolyn and Marilyn. His youngest brother and best friend Tommy arrived 18 mos. later. They were inseparable growing up.

There was no shortage of chores for the kids, including helping Dow with his passion for cattle on the weekends. While Tim bemoaned some of the chores, he was instilled with a tremendous work ethic and wise but humble disposition that would carry him through his years and leave a lasting impression on everyone who was blessed to share his company.

Tim graduated from Lakeside High School in 1961, Valedictorian of his class. He was incredibly proud to be a Yellow Jacket and helped bring home the state Class C championship in 6-man football in 1959. He was a devoted Blue Ridge fan throughout his life, and always supported the athletics programs. He very seldom missed a football playoff or State Wrestling tournament. He was their #1FAN for years. He kept nearly every program from playoff/state events and would always fill out the tournament brackets in the back so he would remember who placed where. He was always at practice as soon as football camp began in the summer and every evening after work for the football season.

Tim attended ASU, NAU and finally settled in at a new junior college for the state, Arizona Western, in Yuma, where he finally felt he fit in. There were also several friends from here that also attended, enough to rent a small house for not much money. Tim often did the cooking so he wouldn't have to do the dishes. His specialty was spaghetti. Tim moved home in October '65 and went back to work for Navopache Electric and drove to the valley on Tuesdays, went to night classes at the Electronic Training Center somewhere in Phoenix. He stayed two nights each week with his brother Verl then drive home Thursday night after his classes and be back to work Friday mornings. He received his diploma in September 1966 in Electronic Technology.

Tim soon felt the call of service to his country, his draft number was quickly advancing, so he decided to enlist in the Army and choose the field he was interested in, instead of letting the Army ship him off to Vietnam as a combat infantryman. He enlisted in June 1966 and went to basic training at Ft. Polk Louisiana. He then attended Army Signal School at Ft. Monmouth New Jersey for advanced training, he especially liked this station; he could catch a bus into New York City and see the sites. He got to see Martha Raye in "Hello Dolly". He was quite impressed!

After signal school, he was stationed at Fort Hood Texas for a time before being deployed to Vietnam in June of 1968 with the 69th Signal Battalion; at MACV Communications Headquarters on Tan Son Nhut airbase, located just outside of Saigon. He worked 12hr night shift maintaining the cryptographic communications equipment that sent and received classified messages back and forth between MACV and Washington, and still had guard duty to serve.

After returning home in June of 1969, Tim went back to work with Navopache Electric as a staker for the engineering department. He and his brother Kent Rhoton walked every mile of proposed new power lines for the Navopache service area, which after creating maps and survey plans would be ready for the line crew. He received an official promotion to field engineer some years later, a roll in which he would serve until the early 2000's when he was offered the job of Manager of Engineering. He devoted over 37 years of service and retired in 2006. He loved his job, and loved the people he worked with, and like many others that crossed paths with Tim, became family.

Retirement was a blessing two-fold, as it came one month before Chickie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Tim took such good care of her during her treatment. He would make breakfast every day, and if you asked grandson Danner what he had at Grandma & Grandpa's, he'd always reply "Eggs again" with a smirk. They made it through that year (and many more after) together, stronger. Chickie is still with us and cancer free.

Tim met Chickie Earl in 1970 and married in 1971. They had 3 children, Timmy Steve (1971), Liane Marie (1980) and Terry Jay (1985). While the kids tested both Tim and Chickie's patience over the years (quite often, actually), they were always supportive, understanding and imparted on their kids that true success and happiness is found in family and the relationships you foster, and how you help those around you.

Tim is survived by his wife Chickie; son, Timmy (Leisa Brug); daughter, Liane (Chris Thomas); son, Terry; five grandchildren - Dax, Cutter, and Traylen Rhoton; Danner and Addison Thomas; His only remaining brother, Kent (LaPreal) Rhoton;, brother-in-law Bill Harris; sister-in-law Dena (Mike) Baldwin; sister-in-law Paula (Ernie) Sutter; numerous nieces and nephews; dozens of cousins; new friends, old friends and friends with four legs. He was a favorite Uncle to all!

The joy of his retirement was time spent with his dog, Precious. They were inseparable. She always sat by the window in his pickup. That was her seat. Rain or shine, window was open so she could sniff the smells going down the road. Chickie was not allowed to sit in that seat, it was reserved for Precious. When Tim retired in August 2006, they would drive out to the ranch, twice a day, to doctor his Dad's last remaining horse, Ginger.

Tim was diagnosed in 2021 with Stage IV prostate cancer. He fought through many courses of different treatments and was always humble and positive about his condition. He passed in his home, surrounded by his wife and kids on October 4th 2025.

He left us all with a better understanding of love, family, and community; and what it truly means to serve those that you cherish. He will be missed immensely, but his legacy carries on in lessons he passively imparted on everyone fortunate enough to share a conversation with him.

A viewing will be held Friday October 17th at Owen's-Livingston Mortuary in Showlow, 6-8pm. There will be a memorial the following day October 18th at the LDS Church in Lakeside at 11am.