Everett "Dusty" S. Rhodes

Everett was a veteran of the US Air Force. One of Dusty’s great loves was his aviation career. He flew for 40 some years, working for three airlines and clocking over 27,000 hours. He took his first dual flight instruction in May 1958 while he was serving as an Aircraft Mechanic in the US Air Force at Lackland AFB in Texas. He soloed in a fabric winged, wooden spar 65 HP J-3 Cub, that had to be hand-propped to start. After receiving his commercial license in August 1959 and his flight instructor rating in February 1960, Dusty spent three and a half years flying civilian seaplanes and crop dusters in southern Louisiana. In November 1963, he enjoyed the wonderful opportunity of flying “The Great Silver Fleet” of Eastern Airlines where he worked for 28 years until January 1991. In November 1994, ValuJet gave Dusty more opportunity to fly commercially. ValuJet then merged with AirTran Airways, and he flew his last commercial flight (#290) from Houston to Atlanta in 1998. In retirement, he put some of his energies in perfecting his golf game and played regularly with friends at Flat Creek Country Club in Peachtree City. As much as Dusty loved being in the cockpit, he loved being in the saddle too. Dusty owned and operated his own farm and horse operation in Griffin, GA. He trained cutting horses and was the publisher/editor of Southeast Cutter, a magazine for cutting horse enthusiasts. It was published monthly in ten states. He was the president for Southeastern Cutting Horse Association, president in 1984 of the Georgia Cutting Horse Association, and President in 1973 of the Georgia Palomino Exhibitors Association. Always being energetic, Dusty opened a new chapter in his book after his horses and became a school bus driver in Fayette County for 16 years. He loved the children and would encourage them daily, watching many of them go from kindergarten to adulthood. He was so proud of them and had many endearing stories. When he decided to retire from his school bus job at 80 years old, then he redirected his energies and went through chaplaincy training, becoming a senior ordained chaplain with International Fellowship of Chaplains in 2017. He was involved weekly in holding Sunday services in an assisted living home in Peachtree City and assisted in a Christian rehab home in Sharpsburg for women trying to restore their lives, along with numerous other ministry endeavors. Wherever there was a need or opportunity to pour out compassion, Dusty was there. Though his accomplishments were many, Dusty would be the first to share that the greatest accomplishment of his life was loving Jesus Christ and loving other people. As a little boy growing up on a West Texas farm, he would sing on his tractor in the cotton fields, “Just a closer walk with thee, sweet Jesus.” And he pursued that desire with a passion throughout his life. How do you capture a man whose impact was felt wherever he went? Dusty was the consummate gentleman. He was gentle, kind-hearted, ever-giving, joyful, always smiling, loyal, enthusiastic, and always optimistic. He believed the best in every person and would consider you his friend from the time he met you. He was a humble man and always would say, “I am just a West Texas cowboy,” which was true as he grew up on a 640 acre farm around Lubbock, Texas and was the “baby boy” and last born of eleven children. There the family raised cotton and farmed with three Case tractors. Dusty very seldom touted all his accomplishments as Captain Everett S. Rhodes of Eastern Airlines, being an award-winning horse trainer, or being a great golfer. As G.K. Chesterton once said, “The really great man is the man who makes every man feel great.” That was Dusty Rhodes! One of Dusty’s favorite scriptures was John 6:63 where Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” He lived everyday to the fullest and always maintained a childlike faith, always eager to learn more about His Savior and His love for decades, he carried a small wooden cross in his pant pocket, and it went everywhere with him. He said he always wanted to be in remembrance of what Christ had accomplished for Him at the cross. He leaves behind cherished memories, a loving family, and multitude of friends who will miss him dearly.

Dusty is preceded in death by his parents; and former spouse and mother of his two children, Caroline Vail Rhodes.

Dusty is survived by his wife, Marsha Feuser Rhodes; his daughter, Katherine V. Rhodes (Gregory Taylor); his son, Daniel Estle Rhodes (Lisa); four grandchildren, Shannon Moody, Brendon Rhodes, Ryan G. Taylor, and Aaron J. Taylor; three great-grandchildren; his brother, Erby Rhodes (Ruthalee); and his sisters, Troyce Coleman and Freda Gwen Patrick (Paul Patrick).

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 15, at Go Church, 3935 Highway 34 E, Sharpsburg, GA 30277. A gathering for family and friends will be held at the church from 2:00-4:00pm.