James Thode Obituary

Sgt. 1st Class James Earl "Jim" Thode was killed Dec. 2, 2010, by an improvised explosive device while on active duty in the Sabari District of Khowst Province, Afghanistan. Sgt. Thode was with Blanding's 118th Engineer Sapper Company, 1457th Engineer Battalion, of the Utah National Guard. He was 45.

Sgt. Thode was born to Earnest Thode and Eve (Myers) Taylor on Sept. 27, 1965. From the age of 3, he lived in Tucson, Ariz., where he graduated from Catalina High School and the University of Arizona.

Living in Kirtland, N.M., he served as a patrol sergeant with the Farmington Police Department for 14 years. He was named Supervisor of the Year for 2009.

"Jim was a beloved husband, father, brother and son, and those who served with Jim and the community in which he lived respected him for his integrity, work ethic and selflessness," his family wrote. "He will be dearly missed."

Mr. Thode is survived by his wife, Carlotta; daughter, Ashley; and son, Thomas, all of Kirtland; mother and stepfather, Eve and Ron Taylor of Pagosa Springs; father, Ernest Thode of Tucson; sister, Mary Thode of Tucson; and grandmother, Olive Myers of Payson, Ariz.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010, at Piñon Hills Community Church, 5101 N. Dustin Ave. in Farmington, with the Rev. John Morgan officiating.

Condolences to the family may be made at www.danielsfuneral.com.