Ronald Rhodes

CHEROKEE VILLAGE - Ronald Raymond Rhodes was born Aug. 11, 1947, in Popular Bluff, Missouri, to parents James Luther and Ruth Harold Rhodes. He departed his earthly home Nov. 18, 2025.

Raised in Corning, Ron grew up grounded in faith, family and friends. After graduating from Corning High School in 1965, Ron attended Arkansas State University where he was a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity and served as student trainer for the football team. In 1968, Ron met a beautiful ASU freshman from El Dorado, Brenda Sanders, and spent the next few years courting her.

During the summer of 1970, Ron moved to Cherokee Village to sell lots and never left. Ron and Brenda were married Oct. 30, 1971, and as they put down roots in Cherokee Village, they welcomed their three children Jason, Jonathan and Rachel. Ron was blessed to spend 54 years of marriage to his best friend, Brenda, a marriage and life partnership that is an inspiration to their children and grandchildren. Family was Ron's greatest source of pride and his greatest joy came from spending time with family.

Ron worked for Cooper Communities and Village Homes during the 1970's and in 1980, he founded his own real estate company Ron Rhodes & Co. Almost a year into his new company, Kenneth King invited Ron to join as a partner in King Agency, becoming partners and building King-Agency and later King-Rhodes & Associates to become one of the most respected real estate companies serving Sharp, Fulton and Izard counties.

Throughout Ron's 54-year career as a real estate professional, he has been blessed to have many wonderful colleagues and clients who also became dear friends.

A lifelong Methodist, Ron was a faithful member of the Cherokee Village United Methodist Church. He lived his Faith every day and by example.

Ron was a long-time member of the Cherokee Village Lions Club, a Charter member of the Quad Cities Rotary Club, and a founding member of the Sharp County Community Foundation and Sharp County Hospital Foundation. Ron was a long-time supporter of Village Pride and efforts to fight roadside litter and beautify the Village. He was a member of the Spring River Jaycees and supporter of the Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranch. Ron served as Cherokee Village SID Commissioner (2000-2002). Appointed by Governor Mike Beebe, Ron was honored to serve his alma mater as a member of the Board of Trustees for Arkansas State University from 2008 to 2018.

Ron was a recipient of the Spring River Chamber of Commerce's E. Wilson Greene award (2019) and the ASU Distinguished Alumni award (2025).

Ron was preceded in death by his parents James Luther Rhodes and Ruth Harold Rhodes and brother James Harold Rhodes. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Brenda, son Jason (Dana), son Jonathan, daughter Rachel (Robbie), all of Cherokee Village, and seven grandchildren, Corbin, Camden, Kendall, Edmond, Kason, Ellie and Cade, and two grand dogs, Maggie and Barkley. Ron is also survived by his sister Dana, brother Roy (Jan), and many loving nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at the Cherokee Village United Methodist Church immediately followed by a Celebration of Life at the Cherokee Village North Golf Course Recreation Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to:

Sharp County Community Foundation – Giving Tree Endowment; PO Box 240, Cherokee Village, AR 72525 or sharpcounty@arcf.org; or ASU System Foundation, Inc. – Student Emergency Fund; PO Box 1990, State University, AR 72467 or astate.edu/givenow