Wilson J. Rhodes Jr.
August 30, 1924 - May 12, 2010
A Quiet, Happy Man; An Avid Steelers Fan
Wilson, age 85, passed away on May 12, 2010, in his home in Bothell, WA after a long illness with pancreatic cancer. He was born on August 30, 1924 in Beaver, PA., and was preceded in death by his wife, Jean F. Rhodes, and brother, Victor M. Rhodes. He is survived by his brother and sisters: John of Scottsdale, AZ; Marien Doolittle of San Rafael, CA; Elizabeth Tovani of Tucson, AZ; and Nancy of CA as well as his four children: Gregory (son, Jeremiah) of Moorhead, MN; Scott (Pam, his wife, and children, Matthew & Allison) of Thousand Oaks, CA; Bruce of Everett, WA, and Marcia (Bill, her husband, and children, Ryan & Sean) of Brier, WA.
Wilson graduated from Beaver Area Senior High School in 1942 and attended Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA. He served in the infantry as a gunner during WWII in Europe between 1943 -46. He married Jean F. Rhodes in 1950 and was a devoted husband until her death in 1988. Together, they raised their family in his hometown of Beaver, PA.
Wilson was a quiet and happy man who enjoyed his family, home, work, and sports. He liked a good meal and conversation with friends and family, gardening, cooking, reading, smoking his pipe, and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers’ fan. While living in Beaver and later in Wampum, PA, he always had a large vegetable garden where he grew beefsteak tomatoes, green beans, onions, zucchini, cucumbers, and hot peppers. In Washington, he babied the pink roses that bordered his lot, but had limited luck with his tomatoes in the short, cooler Northwest growing season.
Wilson worked for his entire career for McIntosh-Hemphill in Midland, PA where he started as an office clerk and retired as the foundry’s General Superintendent. He was proud of his work making steel rolls and casting large slag pots. He was also fond of his many colleagues and missed them after moving to Washington in 1995.
FUNERAL INFORMATION
As requested by Wilson, there will be no services.
DONATIONS
Wilson was supported during his final illness by Providence Hospice of Snohomish County, WA., and particularly appreciated his primary nurse, Lori. Remembrances may be made toe3 Partners Ministry. Donations to support the mission work of his hospice nurse, Lori, in Tanzania.
Memorial
Traditional Gaelic Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Dylan Thomas