Gene Frank Rhoades

Gene Rhoades passed away Nov. 24 at his home in Carlsbad, N.M., with his loved ones by his side. Gene was born on Oct. 25, 1933, in Burlington Colo., to Walter and Velma (Rice) Rhoades. He attended school in Burlington until 1947, when the family moved to Doyleville and Gene attended school in Gunnison. He graduated from Gunnison High school in 1952 where he was active in boxing, football and student government. He served in the Army from 1952-1954; he was stationed in Austria. In 1956 he married Phyllis Hogan. Three children were born to this union. Phil, Kathleen and Lori. Gene loved his family, his friends and the Denver Broncos. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, raising Suffolk sheep, helping 4-H children with their sheep projects, and since 2005 playing pool with his new friends at the North Mesa Senior Center in Carlsbad. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Walter and Velma Rhoades, and two grandchildren, Kimberly and Cody Gene Rhoades. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Phyllis, of the family home; son Phil Rhoades of Burlington; daughter s Kathleen (Ken) Finnegan of Delta, and Lori McLaughl in of Montrose; sisters Bett y Prosser and Sharon (Dave) Prosser, both of Delta; brothers Wayne (Leota) Rhoades of Crawford, and Norman (Suzy) Rhoades of Hotchkiss; brother-in-law Jerry Hogan; and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held in Gunnison at a later date.