Robert Ward Rhoades

robert rhoades

Robert Ward Rhoades, age 87, passed away peacefully at home, on July 8, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Born on December 24, 1934, in Port Jervis, New York, to the late Russell and Dora (Worzel) Rhoades.

As a teenager he met his future wife, Mitzi House, at a Bible Conference in New Jersey. After high school, he attended Stephen F. Austin State College in Nacogdoches, TX. In 1954, he married his teenage sweetheart, Mildred “Mitzi” House. After his graduation, they moved to Pennsylvania where he accepted a position at Delaware Valley High School as a Physical Education teacher and coach. His next position took him and his family to Houghton College, in New York State, where he taught Physical Education and coached the track and basketball teams. He received his Master’s degree in Brockport, NY, and was promoted to the Head of Physical Education Department at Houghton College. After he left the college, he and his family moved to North Carolina and he was employed by the State in Central Engineering where fences were built for the prisons throughout North Carolina. He continued his teaching skills and became a mentor to a number of men and inmates who worked for him. 

Bob is predeceased by his son, Brian Rhoades, in 2012, and by his daughter, Sandra Rhoades, who passed away in March 2022.

Bob is survived by his wife, Mitzi; his daughter, Debbie (Gary) Bell of West End, daughter Cathy Easterling of Eugene, Oregon, son David (Emily) Rhoades of Wilmington Delaware and daughter Lori (Joe) Wachter of West End. His large family includes 16 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren.

He loved his Savior Jesus Christ, his family, and telling a long story! He will be greatly missed by all of us. 

A memorial service will be held at Yates-Thagard Baptist Church on July 17, 2022, at 3pm.

 

Fry and Prickett Funeral Home is honored to serve the Rhoades family.

Online condolences may be left at www.pinesfunerals.com

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