Nelson D. Rodes Jr.

1932 - 2021

Nelson D. Rodes, Jr.
June 15, 1932 - December 1, 2021
Danville, Kentucky - Nelson D. Rodes, Jr., 89, died in Louisville on December 1, 2021. He was born in Danville on June 15, 1932, the son of Nelson D. and Mary McDowell Rodes. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Martha Butler Rodes and three children, John Butler Rodes (Julie), Charles H. Rodes, and Martha "Priss" Rodes Hovious (Gregg) and six grandchildren Nelson D. Rodes, IV (Mary Jane), William Butler Rodes, Mary Rodes, Kathryn Hovious, Robert Hovious and Sam Hovious and three great-grandsons and his brother Charles O. Rodes (Clare). In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Nelson D. Rodes III and three brothers, Clifton, Robert, and Joe.
He was a lifelong member of The Presbyterian Church. Nelson attended public schools in Danville through the 9th grade and graduated from McCallie School in 1950, Centre College in 1954 and Harvard Law School in 1957. Upon graduation from law school, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve and was called for a year of active duty with the Kentucky 100th division at Fort Chafee, Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Rodes began the practice of law in Danville on January 1, 1958 and spent most of his career as a member of the firm of Lively and Rodes. He served on the Board of Governors of the Kentucky Bar Association and received the "Outstanding Lawyer" award from the KBA. On January 1, 1980, he became the President of Farmers National Bank until retirement on June 30, 1997. He served as President of the Kentucky Bankers Association. Throughout his business career, he was active in many civic organizations and served as President of the Jaycees, The Chamber of Commerce, The Historical Society and The United Way. He served 50 years as a member of the Board of the Danville Library Inc., the last ten years as Chairman. He served on the Board of Trustees of Centre College from 1978 until his death with offices of Secretary, Vice Chairman and Life Trustee. He was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by Centre in 1998.
Rodes was a member of the Danville Rotary Club and The Anaconda Literary Club, both of which contributed greatly to his enjoyment of life in Danville. With his family and friends, he particularly enjoyed golf, tennis, skiing and summer vacations at Crystal Lake, Michigan. He served on the Board of Directors and as President of the Danville Country Club and on the Board of Governors of Crystal Downs Country Club in Michigan.
The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Monday, December 6, 2021 at The Presbyterian Church in Danville. Dr. Eric Mount and Rev. Caroline Kelley will officiate. Burial will be in Bellevue Cemetery prior to the service. The family invites friends and family to visit following the service at 305 N. Third St. Memorial donations are suggested to Centre College, the Danville Public Library, KET, or The Presbyterian Church. Please sign the online guestbook and send a Hugs from Home at www.stithcares.com.