(December 11, 1931 – May 29, 2016) James R. Rhodes, Sr., also known as Jim Rhodes, formerly of Dededo, died May 29 at the age of 84 in his home in Sacramento, CA.
He is predeceased by his parents: Columbus Rhodes and Ruby Rhodes Duke; Sister: Betty Louise (Rhodes) Gambetty, Opal Jean (Rhodes) Berweiller; Son-in-law: Julius Etumai; and Great-Grandson: James Kim-Hoover.
He will be missed and cherished forever in the hearts of his wife: Anne Rhodes; Daughters/Son, their spouses, and children: Miriam Etumai (Miyuki, Melwert); Linda and Michael Ahlborn (Steven); Janet and Roy Arnold (Berney James); James, Jr. and Donna Rhodes (Sara and Rebecca); Great-Grandchildren: Kira, Ryu, and Keely; Brother/Sisters: LeRoy Rhodes, and Donna Mae Cullum.
Numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and former students will also miss him.
Funeral services were held June 13 at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery where his remains will be interred. Condolences and remembrances can be sent to: Anne Rhodes, 644 Woodside Sierra #5, Sacramento, CA 95825.
In life, Jim was born in Oklahoma and as a youth lived in southern California, and Spokane and Vancouver, Washington. He served in the Korean Conflict from 1950-1953 on the USS Piedmont and the USS Karin. He was a teacher at George Washington High School on Guam from 1959-1981; holding many student advisory positions, including Student Activities Director, Speech competition advisor, and long-standing United Filipino Student Association Culture Club Advisor. Jim was also very active in the Guam Federation of Teachers including serving as Vice President for a term; as well as island politics in general which led him to twice run for the Guam Legislature.
Among many achievements, Jim led the first-ever off-island GWHS student field trip for student competition; initiated a tradition of having noted speakers include GWHS as one of their stops during Far East/Pacific Tours, amongst the most renowned was Jacques Piccard during an expedition to explore the Marianas Trench in the early 1960s.