Alvin Henry Rhodes, 87, of Hendersonville, NC, died Monday, December 21, 2009 at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock.
Born in Akron, OH, he was the son of the late Reuben Rhodes and Dorothy Wycoff Petly Rhodes. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Tom Petly; daughter, Anita Rhodes; and grandson, Steven Easton.
A World War II Navy veteran, he served in the Pacific Theater as Seaman 1st Class and Gunners Mate. While serving on the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, he survived four Kamikaze attacks. He also engaged in combat action on the Marshal Islands, at Truk Lagoon, and during the Philippine Liberation.
He was employed for 36 years by Firestone Tire & Rubber Company. Alvin was loved and admired by all who knew him, and he will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Mary Rhodes of Hendersonville; his son, Brian Rhodes of Newport Richey, FL; his daughter, Deborah Barto and husband, Barry, of Monroe; granddaughters, Taylor Barto, and Tiffany Matthews and husband, John; and great-grandchildren, Ethan and MacKenzie Matthews, all of Monroe.
A memorial service will be held at 2 PM Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Mills River Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastor Tom Hughes will officiate. Military Honors will be conducted by Hubert M. Smith American Legion Post 77, Hedrick-Rhodes Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5206, and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 14. A graveside service will be held at East Liberty Cemetery in Akron, Ohio, at a later date.
Memorial
12:00 AM
Mills River Seventh-day Adventist Church - Directions
2142 Jeffress Road
Mills River, NC 28759
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