Mr. Hugh Rhodes

John Hugh Rhodes died Tuesday, June 17, 2014 in Ashdown, Arkansas. Hugh, as he was known to everyone, was born June 10, 1918, in McCaskill, Arkansas to John David and Maude Ellen Rhodes. He attend Southern State College in Magnolia for two years then transfered to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and he played intramural basketball. He joined the Army in December 1942, doing his basic training in California. He was assigned to a research center at the Aberdeen Providing Ground in Maryland, where he tested weapons and ammunition to be used by fighting forces over seas. In November 1944 he was on a transport destined for the European Theater. He was in Company C of the 65th Infantry Division under the command of General George S. Patton at the battle of the bulge. He returned to the United States in September 1945 and was honorably discharged in November of that year. He returned to McCaskill to visit his parents, then began working at a naval ammunition plant in Camden. He later returned to the University of Arkansas to complete his degree. He meet his future wife, Marianna Hutson Schnoover in Hope and they married December 31, 1949. They moved to Ashdown in January, 1950, where he began working as the county executive director of the soil conservation. After retiring, he and his wife opened Rhodes Reality. He was an avid golfer, playing until a shoulder surgery forced him to quit. He was a devoted Razorback fan, going to many games. He was a member of the Ashdown Rotary, recieving the Phil Harris award, and a member of NARFE. After losing his wife in 1984 he helped with the raising of his two grandchildren, Joshua and Amy, taking them to dance lessons, ball practice, and swimming lessons. All the kids called him Grandpa. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ashdown, and was a member of Joy Sunday School class. Hugh was a life long member of Calloway-Keener American Legion Post 124 in Ashdown. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marianna and a infant daughter, Mary Ann, his parents, two brothers, Fletcher and Jay Rhodes, four sisters Elsie, Velma and Evelyn Rhodes and Dulcie Hatchett. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-Law Larry and Beverly Rhodes of Sheridan, WY; a daughter and son-in-law Betty and Doug Williams of Ashdown, AR; four grandchildren Katherine Rhodes of Loveland, CO; James C. Rhodes of Sheridan, WY; Joshua Ulery of Conway, AR; and Amy and husband Mika McFadden of Fayetteville, AR. Seven great-grandchildren, Lilly and Dominic Rhodes of Sheridan, WY; William and Copper Ulery of Conway, AR; Conner, Avery, and Chase McFadden of Fayetteville, AR, a sister Leta Serio of Camden, AR and several nieces and nephews. The family will be at 411 Rankin Street, Ashdown. Visitation will be Sunday, June 22 at Madden Funeral Home from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Funeral service will be Monday, June 23 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Ashdown. Rev. Jim Cross will officiate the service. Burial will follow at the Ashdown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the first United Methodist Church in Ashdown or to the American Legion Post 124 in Ashdown or to the Ashdown Cemetery Association.