Lee Allen Rhoades

Lee was born in Berkeley CA, raised in Palo Alto CA, and lived in the SF Bay Area, Watsonville CA, Jackson CA, and finally Watsonville CA Survived by his loving wife Elizabeth (Morris) and daughter Erin, Sister and Brother-in-Law Kathy and Gary Mandle; Brother and Sister-in-Law Dave and Melissa Morris; Sister-in-law Margaret Morris; Nephew Patrick Morris and Partner Kelly (xxx); Niece and Nephew Abby and James Morris, Great Nephew Jayden Morris Jean, Godsons Brent & Drew Wirth and many, many friends.
Married May 21, 1982 at Hakone Gardens, Saratoga, CA Cubberley High School, Class of 1963 Foothill College Class of 1971 Army Active Duty 1966 -1968 Army Reserves 1968 -1972 "Brother/Husband/Father/Friend/Jokester"
Lee was born in Berkeley on May 1, 1945 and when people would ask where he was born, he would often say, "Berkeley. They only started calling it 'Berzerkley' after I was born!". Lee's early life was spent in the SF bay area, where he helped his family raise Great Pyrenees throughout his childhood in Palo Alto, even winning awards as a 'young handler' in early dog shows. His love for animals was apparent throughout his life, having numerous cats and dogs and trying to befriend any animal wherever he went.. After graduation from Cubberley High School in Palo Alto in 1963 he surrendered his draft and followed his brother Frank into the Army. While in the service Lee was tapped to be Company Clerk and from there was sent to advance his studies in the new field of computers for the Army. After his service, Lee went back to school at Foothill College in Los Altos, completed his AA in American Institutions, and began working in Social Services. From there Lee was lured into the new computer industry just taking off in the bay area at that time, and found enjoyment in jobs ranging from Inventory Control Manager to Facility Services Manager at electronics companies Microma, Intel, and Pacific Reliability.
Lee and Elizabeth met at Baskin Robbins ice cream parlor almost 54 years ago, and were married in 1982. Their love endured intact. At the beginning of their marriage, they began Rhoades Landscape Maintenance and spent 18 years working together to create beautiful gardens. Near Y2K Lee decided to go back to school and continued his studies in computer science. He completed his Cisco Network Associate credential and began teaching in the ROP program at Watsonville and Aptos High schools as well as at Monterey Peninsula College. Lee enjoyed teaching and found it fulfilling, but after budget cuts decimated his program, he decided to explore more options and began driving a school bus in the interim. At this time Lee, Elizabeth and Erin moved from Watsonville to Jackson, CA and Lee took on school bus driving as the family established in Amador county. Although Lee really enjoyed his work with the school district, he found several other opportunities to pursue and became a Patient Services Technician, which allowed him to help many people in dire straits where he applied his kindness and calm to every situation. Lee treated all concerned to smiles and laughter with his quiet charm and joyous nature. Many called him 'Mr. Diplomacy' because he could defuse any tense situation, offering calming comic relief and an easy smile. He was everyone's encyclopedia for history, government and politics. He brought goodness to all who were privileged to know him in his professional and personal life.
Lee loved all sports, and discussing stats and nuances of any game was one of his favorite things. His love of baseball started early, and was a life-long passion all his days. Whenever he played, his love of the game of baseball was palpable. He was a vault of statistics, info, obscure trivia and odd rules. In his wildest dreams Lee would be playing in the majors, and hitting grand slam home runs with regularity. Since that career wasn't in the cards for him, he contented himself with playing softball as often as he could; at one point playing on 3 teams simultaneously. It was a joy to see him on the field and to hear the crack of the bat when he got a hit because his enjoyment was infectious. He continued his softball career into his 60's, and at one point coached Erin's softball team as well. Everyone who knew Lee knew that he was an SF Giants fan who never missed a game on TV and went as often as possible to Candlestick and then Pac Bell Park to cheer his team on in person. To Lee, the intricacies and strategies of the game were eternally fascinating and he introduced many people to details of play that only an expert would observe. As he patiently explained what was going on in the game to anyone who asked, he extended his love of the game to many.
In every job or situation he was presented with he tried to make someone laugh. He tried to find humor in life anywhere he could, and when he couldn't find it, he made it! His smile, his laughter and his jokes are what he will be remembered for the most.
We will be having Lee's Home Run Party on May 10th at Jade Street Park in Capitola California from 11am-4pm. There will be a pick-up softball game, pitching machine, food, drinks, and joke books. Please come and celebrate his life with a walk around the bases.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or the Santa Cruz SPCA would be welcomed.