Minor G. "Dusty" Rhodes Jr.

Minor Grover Rhodes, Jr. was born May 31, 1921 and grew up in Rockingham County near the town of Harrisonburg in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. He attended public schools in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. He worked in Harrisonburg in the auto parts business and as assistant manager of a frozen food locker plant. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Nov. 1942 and was honorably discharged in April 1946 and also enlisted in the Naval Reserve (inactive duty) and was discharge in 1952. He attended Madison College (now J M U, James Madison Univ.) in Harrisonburg for two years and came to Tucson in 1949 and graduated from the University of Arizona in 1952. He was married in 1951 and has two daughters. Kay Ellen who lives in West Des Moines, Iowa and Lisa Sue Essex who lives in Tucson, Arizona; two grandchildren, Amie and Stuart Essex and two great grandchildren, Kael and Tomlyn. He entered the insurance business in Tucson in 1951 and retired in 1984. Sir Knight Dusty was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason in Rockingham Union Lodge No. 27, in Harrisonburg Virginia in 1942. WWII, the U.S. Navy, starting a new business, going back to school etc., interfered with further progress in masonry until 1962 when he petitioned Tucson Lodge No. 4 and was raised a Master Mason in May 1963. Soon thereafter he received the Scottish Rite (Tucson Valley) and the York Rite (Tucson Bodies) and became a member of El Zaribah Shrine. He was a High Priest of Tucson Chapter R A M in 1973 and also the Order of High Priesthood; Illustrious Master of Roskruge Council No. 6, Cryptic masons in 1971, Order of Sliver Trowel, Commander of Arizona Commandery No. 1, in 1977 and Prior of Arizona Past Commanders Assoc. in 1986. Sir Knight Dusty is a past Sovereign of the Tucson Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine, member of the Royal Order of Scotland, member of Regius York Rite College, charter member of Tucson High Twelve club, Past President of Sahuaro High Twelve Club, charter member of Sabbar Shrine Temple and charter member of the concert band of Sabbar Temple playing the Tuba. Sir Knight Dusty was the charger Master of Southern Arizona Research Lodge No. 2, is a member of the Philalethes, member of Missouri Research Lodge, member of Educational Lodge No. 1002 A.F. & A.M. of St. Paul, MN., member of Quator Coronati Lodge 2076 (the premier lodge of Masonic Research) London, England. He is a member of the Cooks Creek Presbyterian Church and Masonic Services Assoc. volunteer at the Veterans Adm., hospital in Tucson, and was appointed to the Grand Commandery line by the late REPGC William S. Dunipace. Dusty was an individual who enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, hunting, fishing, gardening and loved giving to many charitable organizations. He married Catherine B. Smith Ingle on October 19, 1987. He is survived by his daughters and grandchildren; brother, James Rhodes; sister, Charlotte Spangler and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Sunday, 1/18/2015 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm and on Monday, 1/19/2015 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm with funeral services to follow at 2:00 pm and interment at 3:00 pm at East Lawn Palms Mortuary & Cemetery, 5801 E. Grant Rd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Veteran’s Administration.