John Clayton Rhodes

John Clayton Rhodes, age 90, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away on September 30, 2025, in Searcy, Arkansas. Born on May 9, 1935, in Vestaburg, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Samuel Tilton Rhodes, Jr. and Linnie Mae Gauden Rhodes. When he was seven months old, his father was killed in a mining accident. A year later, his mother married his uncle and eponym, John Harris Rhodes, who raised him and his brothers as his own.
John was a loving son, husband, father and grandfather. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force in the Korean War era. He was a cryptologist for the federal government and worked in Los Alamos, New Mexico. During that time, he met four presidents and worked with influential figures such as Robert Oppenheimer. After becoming disabled, he attended the University of New Mexico and earned his degree in history and minor in political science. He moved to Quitman, AR in 1974 where he was instrumental in establishing the Cove Creek Fire Department and served for many years as a first responder. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events and spending time with his family and friends. He attended Grace Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, the love of his life and wife of 60 years, Geraldine Elizabeth Edgar Rhodes, two brothers, and two sisters.
He is survived by his children John Rhodes and his wife Lisa, Susan Ethridge and her husband Joe, his grandchildren Michelle Graham and her husband Daniel, Sara Williams and her husband Mark, Hannah McDaniel and her husband Michael, Lexie Rhodes, Zach Rhodes, Lauren Ethridge and her husband Stephen Nutter, and Lindsey Ethridge, and his great-grandchildren Tanner Graham, Zeke Graham, Ella Williams, Clay Williams, John "JJ" George, and a baby girl, Phoebe McDaniel, on the way. Mr. Rhodes is also survived by his other relatives and many friends.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at Olmstead Funeral Home with funeral services beginning at 2:00pm on Saturday, October 11, 2025 with John Rhodes, Pastor Grant Vannatter, and Pastor Odell Altom officiating. Interment will follow in Cleburne County Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Daniel Graham, Mark Williams, Michael McDaniel, Zach Rhodes, Tanner Graham, Clay Williams, and JJ George. Honorary Pallbearers will be Zeke Graham, Kenneth Coffman, John Coffman, Odell Altom, and Jeff Altom.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heber Springs High School Athletic Department.
Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home. www.olmstead.cc