Joseph Stockton "Joe" Rhodes

1941 - 2021

Rhodes, Joseph "Joe" Stockton

1941 - 2021. Joe was born in October 1941 in Cuero, TX to Joseph Stockton Rhodes and Roberta Lee Rhodes. Joe moved to Roswell, NM in 1957, where he attended high school and was a multi-sport star athlete. More importantly, it was at Roswell High that he met the love of his life, Ellen Kay (Henderson) Rhodes, whom he married on September 8, 1962. The couple was married for 52 years and had two children.

Joe was a loving and dedicated father to his son Joseph Steven Rhodes born in 1970, and Julie Kay Rhodes born in 1971, both born while the family was living in Albuquerque, NM. His children loved him dearly.

Joe and Kay graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1964. Following graduation, Joe went to work for Aetna Life & Casualty in the Albuquerque office. At Aetna Joe quickly became a top agent and had a long and successful career progressing to be a Managing Director and General Manager of several multi-state regions around the country. Joe then concluded his career with the Prudential Insurance Company as Managing Director in Chicago, IL retiring in 1996. His retirement was primarily to dedicate himself to the care of Kay who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and whom he cared for with extreme dedication until her passing.

The family followed Joe's career around the country, with Joe and Kay finally retiring to Columbine Valley, CO in 1996. Joe was a member of Columbine Country Club for thirty years, where he made a number of dear friends and spent many special moments of his life including shooting a 77 at age 77.

Joe is survived by his two devoted children and four grandchildren: his son Joe Rhodes and his wife Natalie Morales-Rhodes of Los Angeles, CA, and their children Joseph (Josh) Stockton Rhodes and Luke Hudson Rhodes, and his daughter Julie Rhodes and her children Henry Stephen Leftridge and Logan Eleanor Leftridge of Webster Groves, MO. He is also survived by his younger sister Penny Pulliam and her husband Byron of Grand Junction, CO and was preceded in death by his older sister Barbara Siegal, who is survived by her husband Bernie Siegal of Menlo Park, CA. Joe is also survived by brother-in-law Steve Henderson and his wife Carol Jane of Roswell, NM.

Joe will be greatly missed by his friends and family and most remembered as an incredibly caring husband, father and friend. He never lost his strong values, intellect or competitive spirit despite a number of serious health issues later in life. He lived independently until his death, which occurred with his two children by his side. May God bless his soul and welcome him into his care where he will rejoin Kay in eternal love.

Services: In light of the current Covid-19 environment, a service will be planned in Littleton likely in the summertime at Littleton United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the Colorado chapter of the Alzheimer's Association at the following site

http://act.alz.org/goto/Joe_Rhodes. And, if you wish to share any thoughts or memories, there is a Memorial page located at https://memories.net/timeline/joe-rhodes-48696#.X_C88Awztz0.link