John Lambert Rhodes

John joined his sons, John Phillip and Daniel Adrian the morning of October 8th 2010, leaving his wife Wilma Emily (Wilson) of 65 years, his daughter SkyeNora RuthEva Rhodes-Rendon (James) of Watsonville CA, and sons Wayne Stephen (Linda) of Olympia, WA, Carl Walter (Denise) of Marina, CA, Mark Lambert (Gloria) of Tenino, WA. Grandchildren Stephen, Keith (Stephanie), Crystal of Olympia, Matthew, Benjamin, Charlotta Marzolf (Luke), Sarah and Nadine of Tenino, Kyle Rendon of Watsonville, and Cody of Marina, CA, and great granddaughter Aubrey of Tumwater, WA and great grandson Josiah of Bucoda, WA.

John was born in a dugout cabin on a homestead in Webb, Colorado, the son of Lucian Lambert and Evalyn (Campbell) Rhodes. At age 4 his family gave up the homestead and moved to San Jose, CA to be with Aunt Nellie Burns whose husband, Walter, owned a popular barber shop. John began school in Mountain View and finished High School in Grants Pass, Oregon. He played Fullback on the team that won the State Trophy and the Roberts Rules of Order Club that took First Place at state in 1938. John took High School Training under the Smith Hughes Act learning Gas Air Production, Installation and Management. A license was required for graduation, but Oregon did not have a formal test so John wrote a test, passed that test, and got an Oregon State license. John helped build the gas-air plants at Camp Roberts, CA, and stayed on to manage them until he felt the need to join the Army Air Corps. He flew 34 missions in a B-24 Bomber, with the 8th Air Force, 44th Bomb Group, 67th Division, over Europe between Mother's Day and Thanksgiving 1944, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, The Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, EAME theatre Ribbons with Four Bronze Battle Stars, overseas service bar and one service stripe. John would always say, "but not the Good Conduct Medal!"

Returning from England John was stationed in Texas then assigned to Walla Walla, WA to teach gunnery at the air force base. He left the troop train in Texas, hitchhiked to Oakland, CA to marry the love of his life, Wilma. They left the reception to drive through to the base to report in AWOL. He received his Honorable Discharge in Portland and had a gas job waiting for him in Walla Walla.

Over the years his old flight crew of the "Three Kisses For Luck" B-24 Bomber (Liberator), held reunions every five years and kept in touch by phone and letters. "Eight Balls Forever!", John was the oldest and last of his crew to pass on.

John worked in the Butane/Propane industry as a manager of City Gas of Lewiston, Idaho, Clarkston, Washington, Coos Bay and Myrtle Point, Oregon, Olympia and Bremerton, Washington. He then became Territorial Sales Manager of Eastern Washington and Oregon. He then moved back to California and worked at Buck's Gas and was Sales Manager for Coast Gas retiring at age 73.

John's occupation required him to move his family throughout the West Coast area, but he always created a great garden at each home. His garden was well known by locals and he became an expert fruit tree grafter. He was most proud of a pear tree in Tenino, Washington that he grafted seven different kinds of pears that ripened from August throught November. The gardener, who told time by the position of his sunflowers faces, donated many crops to the local food banks.

John never met a stranger. His funny sense of humor, love of word play, fabulous memory of poems and jokes made him a great MC and extemporaneous speaker. He had a geft of including everyone into the activities and making them feel special. He was clever at solving problems and when he questioned why so many children were arriving at his garage with things needing attention a neighbor told him his kids were bragging, "My Dad can fix anything."

John loved to game. He was best at archery and tennis and unbeatable at croquet and chess. A football fan of the Seahawks and Stanford, he attended all football games of his "home towns". Baseball season found him at the game or watching it on TV. He injoyed attending Spting Training for the Mariners and the Giants. The last night of his life he watched Lincecum pitch his no hitter in the first game of the National League play off, saying "Good", when the Giants won. He was first to the table for family card games and jigsaw puzzles. He carried crossword and fill-in puzzle books in his pockets. His grandchildren taught him computer games and Sudoku, proving that you can teach an old dog new tricks.

John was a fifty year member of the VFW and the Masonic Order AF and AM in Myrtle Point, Oregon. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, a Past Worthy Patron of Eastern Star of Watsonville, and Past Guardian of Job's Daughters of Los Gatos, CA. He was a lifelong Member and Lay Leader of the Methodist Church. When he wanted a scout troop for his sons, he organized a Methodist men's group to sponsor one in Myrtle Point, sending many boys to camps and Jamborees. He served as Big Sir of SIRS in Watsonville, CA and he attended and volunteered for many of the Watsonville Airport Fly Ins and Santa Cruz County Fair activities.

He and his wife served as Methodist Youth Fellowship councilors for over 25 years and worked many years in PTA and Lion's Club. He was an adult education enthusiast and helped many people get their GED certificates and to begin and advance their studies in the propane industry. He and his wife also hosted the exchange students from Germany and Japan.

When John knew he was losing the battle with Esophageal Cancer he spent the last month of his life giving thanks for all the wonderful friends and family God had put into his life and the many blessings he had enjoyed over 92 years. He was very grateful for the VA and Hospice for making his "end" days comfortable and peaceful.

A celebration of John's life is planned June 17, 2011 5:30 PM, at the Tumwater Methodist Church in Tumwater Washington, one of four churches John helped to build. The family asks donations be sent to the Fisher House at Palo Alto, Ca, which provides housing for families of service men and women being treated at the VA Hospital or Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund which assists those who are coping with life-limiting illness, death and grief. Learn more about both at www.fisherhouse.org/donate/index.html and www.hearlandhospicefund.org. Learn more about the 44th Bomb Group at http://www.8thafhs.org/bomber/44bg.htm. For full obituary, life memorial and guest book, log onto mem.com.