J. Thomas Rhodes, Jr.'s Obituary
Jesse Thomas (Tom) Rhodes, Jr., formerly of Memphis, passed away on May 6, 2010 after a brief but courageous battle with illness at the age of 80. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years Carolyn and his parents, Jesse Thomas Rhodes, Sr. and Georgia Allen Rhodes. He is survived by his son J. Thomas Rhodes, III and his wife Beth of San Antonio. He is also survived by his daughters, Janet Brown and husband Mike of Spring, TX; Karen Stiteley and husband Jay of Houston, TX; Martha J. Rhodes; Lynda Rhodes of Kerrville, TX; and Mary Jacobson and husband Jim of Austin, TX. He is also survived by his beloved and devoted grandchildren who were the pride of his heart: Jessica and Robert Rhodes; Will, Patrick, and Colin Jacobson; and June and Michael Brown (and family). Tom was born on March 9, 1930 in Little Rock, AR. He attended the Sewanee Military Academy and Memphis State University where he was an active member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Like his father before him, Tom rose through the ranks of the petroleum industry and retired as a Vice President of Marketing for Marcoin, Inc. He was raised, and spent many years, in Memphis, TN, and he also lived in many other cities, including twenty years in Alpharetta, GA and 10 years in Hot Springs Village, AR. The last years of his life were spent in San Antonio, near his children, where he became an avid Spurs fan. Tom was hardworking and cherished his faith and his family; he was a generous, thoughtful gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He valued his volunteer work for the Red Cross, SCORE, and his Meals on Wheels route, which he drove regularly until mid-April of this year. Tom lived and enjoyed life to the fullest, and his family and his community have lost a great man. However, his legacy will live on through his many friends and family. Tom’s remains will be interred with a memorial service at Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis, TN on Saturday, June 12 at 10:30 a.m. A funeral Mass was celebrated on May 12, 2010 in San Antonio, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to Meals on Wheels of San Antonio; Christian Senior Services; 4306 NW Loop 410; San Antonio, TX 78229.
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