Jack Rhoads

1921 - 2016

Jack Rhoads
1921 ~ 2016
Jack Rhoads, 95, over the course of his life, met more famous people (including Jack Dempsey, Benny Goodman, Victor Mature, Tyrone Power, Spencer Tracy, Glenn Miller, Red Skelton, FDR, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Walter Brennan, and many more) than you or I ever have, put together, but none of us who knew Jack held any celebrity in higher esteem than we did Jack himself. He was a husband, father, grandpa, and friend whose friendship, sense of humor, and ready smile was treasured by all who had the great fortune to be around him. Who else do you know whose daily goal in life is to make someone laugh? Jack was the Johnny Appleseed of good cheer, an angel of pure goodness walking among us in plain sight, a man with a golf swing better than God's, who once had a 29 hand in cribbage. Jack was special beyond any common definition of the word.
Jack was born in Boise in 1921 at home to Gladys Batty and Charles Rhoads. The family moved to Montesano, Washington when he was two. His parents lost everything in the Great Depression, and Jack was bounced from relative to relative, settling in Portland, Oregon with his mother. He did what he could to earn money at the time, picking hops and apples in Washington. He ended up back in Boise, living with his grandparents, and attended Boise High School. Jack was innocent of academic ambitions, but he was a star athlete, lettering in track, football, baseball, and basketball. But he found his true sports love outside of school in golf. He caddied for his uncles Newt and Bumps Carter, and learned by watching these two aces. That experience hooked him on golf for life. Jack graduated from high school and joined the Navy in 1940. His early duty stations were in San Diego, New York City and Norfolk. He then attended Aviation Mechanics School, Parachute Rigger's School, and Flight School. He served aboard the USS Cowpence and the USS Independence in the Pacific campaign, and took part in the battle of Iwo Jima and the carrier raid on Japan. He spent the last year of the war on Saipan. He mustered out of the Navy after the war, but remained in the Naval Reserve for twenty-five years. After the war, Jack's luck continued: 1) He won enough playing poker to buy a new 1948 red Pontiac convertible. 2) Not long after that, he went on a blind date (set up by friends), with a vivacious and attractive nurse named Berna Froman, who was swept off her feet by the good-looking sailor with the red convertible. They were married on June 17, 1950. Three children followed in the 50's: Steve, Shari, and Kathryn.Jack's postwar day job was his own Boise Car Upholstery (putting those parachute sewing skills to use), and he also owned "J & J's Golf Repair" shop with his dear friend John Woods. Jack continued to pursue his golf passion the rest of his life, including playing 36 holes at the famed St Andrew's course in Scotland on his 50th wedding anniversary (Berna's comment on this is unrecorded). Jack's perfect swing was in evidence on Boise courses for over a half-century. He spent many a morning with his golfing buddies Tom and Don Miller, Jim Lynch and Larry Locuson, among others. Golf was pastime number one, but was still only part of all the activities that Jack took enthusiastic part in. He was a painter, he learned to play the organ, started each day with a new crossword puzzle, and volunteered at the VA. He was a long-time president of the Fleet Reserve Association and was proud of his WWII service.
His great love Berna Kaye Rhoads preceded him in death in 1998. He is survived by his children: Steve (wife Terrie Rhoads), Shari (husband Jeff Agrell), and Kathryn Colson (husband Al Colson), plus two grandchildren, Jesse Rhoads (wife Ashley Rhoads) and Liliana Agrell.
The family would like to express deep appreciation to St. Luke's Hospice (especially Megan Pollock and Julie Hogan) for their unstinting love and support during Jack's last days. They were truly angels, and Jack adored them.
A celebration of Jack's life will be held at Warm Springs Golf Course on January 7, 2017 at 5:00 pm. Wear colorful golf clothes and bring your favorite dish to share.