Donald Rhodes, 68
Donald Paul Rhodes, 68, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2024, after fighting a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by his family at home in Ponderay, Idaho.
Viewing for friends and family will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2024, at the Lakeview Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at the Lakeview Funeral Home with Pastor Barry Johnson officiating.
He was born Nov. 16, 1955, in Phoenix, Ariz., to Dean and Helen (Clawson) Rhodes, the third of five children. He grew up and attended schools in Johnstown, Pa., and he graduated from Johnstown High School in 1973. He joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Malmstrom AFB, Mont. He married Yvonne Sather; they had two children, Ryan and Amanda Rhodes.
In 1988, he met Rebecca “Becky” Dixon at church and they married March 31, 1989, at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska. Through this union, Don gained a stepdaughter April. They lived in Alaska until July of 2017 when they moved to Ponderay.
Don worked for Alaska Industrial Hardware for many years until he and his son Ryan started R&D Renovations. In Sandpoint, Don worked for Whitewater Creek Maintenance.
Don was a kind, gentle soul and loved to sing bass in the church choir. The day before his passing, the worship team visited him for a wonderful hour of worship and singing. Don loved that so much.
Don loved to drive long distances and Becky and Don crossed the United States many times together. For their 25th anniversary, they traveled Hwy 1 along the Pacific Coast. In 2023 they drove to Ohio and Michigan to visit family and friends, and returned along Highway 2 across the top to the United States. They also visited 40 national parks with their grandson, Damian.
Don is survived by his wife of 35 years, Becky Rhodes of Ponderay; son Ryan Rhodes; step-daughter April Rhodes; daughter Amanda (Claud) Starks; five grandchildren Damian Rhodes, Audri, Zoey, Jenna, and Emma Starks; sister Jean (Robert) McRae of Montana and brothers Clifford Rhodes of Tennessee and Daniel (Patty) Rhodes of Pennsylvania.
He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister Shirley Jane.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Don’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.