Walter H. Rhodes

1930-2016

Walter H. Rhodes, Jr. passed away on February 27, 2016 in Houston, TX after a short bout with cancer. He died in the loving company of his family.

Walter was born on Nov 19, 1930 on a farm in Choctaw County, OK, to Walter H. and Blanche Shelton Rhodes. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ishmael, Ronald and Wendell, and infant sister, Gwendolyn. He grew up across the Red River in Lamar County, TX, where he walked two miles to Hoovertown School. He graduated from Blossom H.S. at the young age of 16, but still ranked third in his class. He graduated from Paris Junior College with his AA degree in engineering. He joined the US Air Force in October 1950 following the outbreak of the Korean War, and served as a top-rated Radar-Navigation-Bomb system technician. Following a year in Biloxi, he was sent to the UK to several different RAF stations. During this time he serviced B-45 bombers equipped with nuclear armament, which thankfully were never used.

He was honorably discharged in 1954, and then attended the University of Texas, earning a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. In 1957 he started work at General Foods' Maxwell House Coffee plant in Houston, later transferring to GF Corporate Engineering in White Plains/Tarrytown, NY. It was there that he met the love of his life, Margaret. They were married in Dec. 19, 1963 as he transferred to a major new Jell-O plant starting up in Dover, DE. After nine years and three children, they transferred to Houston in 1973. Walter worked many years there as the regional engineering manager, officially “retiring” in 1989 but continuing to work as a contractor for several more years.

His many interests included: clock building, history, politics, world affairs, lectures, literacy classes, Toastmasters, Optimists, and the Eagles Veterans Group. He traveled extensively with his wife and occasionally his extended family, visiting all 50 states and over 100 countries. He was especially proud of his service to scouting, where his two sons achieved Eagle Scout and his daughter attained Gold Scout status. He became addicted to golf late in life, playing regularly with a group of close friends called the “Monday Swingers”. He was a dedicated Presbyterian, serving many years at John Knox Church in Houston, including multiple terms as Ruling Elder. He was also proud of his many years helping found and serve the West Side Presbyterian Men, who worked with nine Presbyterian churches in west Houston.

He leaves behind his wife of 52 years; son John and wife, Roxana, their three children Monica, Erica and Duncan of Austin; son, David, of Reno, Nevada and daughter Suzanne, of Madison, Wisconsin. He is survived by seven nieces and three nephews and their descendants.

Finally, let it be said that “He studied in Paris!” and “You can't miss 'em all!”