Tommy Rhodes

Tommy Kenneth "Buck" Rhodes, 83, of rural Iola, Kansas, died Friday, July 16, 2010, at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Buck was born September 25, 1926 in Neodesha, Kansas, the son of James Frederick "Fred" and Mary Ellen (Allman) Rhodes. He attended school in LaHarpe and then served overseas in the United States Army during World War II. On December 28, 1946, Buck married Verle M. Williams and they made their home in Yates Center before moving to Cherryvale in 1953. In 1974, they moved to Haysville where they lived until retiring in 1988 and returning to the farm northeast of Iola. He worked construction and then years for Kansas Gas and Electric. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He was a Boy Scout Leader, 4-H Leader, and a coach for girls softball. He and his wife rode their motorcycle in all the continuous 48 states and Canada and through all 105 counties in Kansas. He was a member and past commander of the Iola American Legion Post #15 and was presently serving as Chef De Gare of the Forty and Eight. He also was a member of the Chanute V.F.W., Moran Masonic Lodge, Shrine, and the Evangelical Covenant Church at Savonburg, Kansas. SURVIVORS: Wife: Verle Rhodes of the home 4 Children: Peggy Gragg & husband, Mike of Grove, OK; Sue Rhodes of Morganton, NC; Roy D. "Stub" Rhodes & wife, Lu Ann of Cherryvale, KS; and Mary Langton & husband, Jim of Moran, KS 2 Brothers: Richard "Shorty" Rhodes of Fosston, MN; and Larry "Chick" Rhodes of Kansas City, MO 1 Sister: Joyce Acton of Kansas City, KS 5 Grandchildren & 2 Great Grandchildren He was preceded in death by an infant son, Kenneth Ray Rhodes and four brothers. VISITATION: 6:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 21, 2010, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. BURIAL: LaHarpe Cemetery, LaHarpe, Kansas with military honors MEMORIAL: Iola American Legion for Nursing Scholarships Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com .