Retired MSG John Franklin Rhodes

Retired Master Sergeant John Franklin Rhodes, 82, passed away on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, in Carteret County, North Carolina. John was born in Craven Co., North Carolina, on December 31, 1938, to Marion Rudolph and Glennie Rhodes.

John grew up in New Bern, North Carolina. He enlisted in the army immediately after high school, specializing in missile defense and later computer programming. He served tours in Korea and Vietnam and retired from the 82nd Airborne Division after 20 years of service. After retiring from the military, John worked in the private sector as a computer programmer, eventually retiring from Kennametal. In retirement, John volunteered as a tour guide at Ft Macon and eventually oversaw scheduling tour guides from 2010-2019. John also served as the coordinator for the Civil War Trails. John trained many tour guides at the fort and served with the Friends of Fort Macon Appreciation and the Friends of Ft Macon Board. John loved history, particularly of eastern North Carolina, and loved sharing his knowledge with others. John could always be recognized by his cane and Indiana Jones hat.

John is survived by his daughter, Gloria “Pam” Porter, and her husband, Ray, and their son, Nick Porter, all of Chapel Hill, his son, John Lee Rhodes and his wife, Tiffany of Pflugerville, Texas, brother, Glenn Rhodes, and sister-in-law, Joan Rhodes. He also leaves behind two great friends, Robert Lee and Duane Miller. He is preceded in death by his brothers, Rudy Rhodes and Charles Rhodes and his mother, Glennie Rhodes.

The family wants to thank the personnel of Broad and Gales Creek EMS, Newport, NC, and Carteret Healthcare ER for the excellent care John received and, previously, Duke University Hospital. The family requests donations to the Friends of Ft. Macon or Broad and Gales Creek EMS instead of flowers.

On Sunday, October 24, 2021, the family will receive friends at 1 pm at Cedar Grove Cemetery in New Bern, North Carolina. John will be laid to rest with full military honors. Online condolences can be made to www.cottenfuneralhome.com. Cotten Funeral is honored to serve the family and friends of MSG John Franklin Rhodes.