He was born to Walter Claud and Calla Mae Elizabeth (Edwards) Rhodes on November 3, 1930
at Tipton, Okla.
Walter was united in marriage to Phyllis Jean Patterson at Snyder, Oklahoma on October 15,
1949. To this union four children were born: Larry Wayne, Beverly Leona and stillborn twins Cecil and Samuel Perry Rhodes.
Walter served in the USAF for four years (1950-1954). After his discharge he attended Central State College in Edmond, Okla., graduating with a B.S. in Physics. He then attended OU in Norman for one semester before entering the work force.
After eight years spent working in the Washington D.C./Northern Virginia area he made the decision to return to college in Oklahoma. He chose to attend Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, graduating with his MS and PhD in Physics.
Walter loved to fish and he found his "seventh-heaven" just north of town at Boomer Lake. He rarely returned home without a goodly number of fish. The whole family enjoyed boating and water skiing and spent many hours at Keystone Lake camping and boating. Walter also enjoyed pitching horseshoes and had a regulation-size horseshoe pit built beside the family home.
After 28 years of living and working in the White Sands Missile Range area, he and the family returned to their home state, Oklahoma. Walter's hobby was computers and photography.
He was a dedicated Christian, serving in the positions of Deacon and Sunday school teacher.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Calla Mae (Edwards) Rhodes; five sisters, Connie Pond and husband Austin; Phama Marie Andrews; Myra Jo Flippin Schilling (husband Ted and sons Teddy Joe and Carl Flippin); Leslie Katherine Rhodes; Virginia Lou Elliott and one brother James "Jim" Perry Rhodes.
Walter is survived by his wife, Phyllis, son Larry Rhodes and wife Linda of Norman; daughter Beverly Guhl-Davis and husband Jerry of Georgetown, TX; three grandchildren, Bryan Rhodes, Norman; Jon Guhl, CA and Asa Marie Suriano, IN; eight great grandchildren Karl and Jack Guhl, Emme Suriano; Alex, Luke, Melody, Michael and Ember (Coslow) Rhodes. Two brothers, Edward Rhodes and wife Margie, Glenpool, OK; and John Rhodes, Fort Worth, TX; sister-in-law, Gloria Rhodes, Oregon; two brothers-in-law, Henry Andrews, Kingfisher, OK and Tommy Elliot, Washington, OK; plus a host of relatives and friends.
Graveside service with Military honors was held at Fairlawn Cemetery, Snyder, OK with Rev.
Bill Patterson officiating.
Services were under the direction of Primrose Funeral Home, Norman, OK.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.primrosefuneralservice.com for the Rhodes family.
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