Obituary of MSG John "Jack" William Rhodes, US Army, II

Master Sergeant John "Jack" William Rhodes II, United States Army, Retired, passed away in his home on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. John was born on November 30, 1950 in Cleveland, Ohio, moving in his teenage years to his maternal ancestors home state, Louisiana, where he graduated from J.S. Clark High School in Opelousas on May 28, 1969. While studying at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, he received a draft letter, stepping away from his schooling to begin his dedicated service to the U.S. Army in December 1970. As a devoted patriot, MSG John. W. Rhodes served during and following the Vietnam War in Fort Polk, Louisiana, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, Utapao Royal AFB, Thailand, Fort Dix, New Jersey, Daegu, South Korea, Fort Gordon, Georgia, Worms, Germany, Sinop, Turkey, and Peterson AFB, Colorado, where he was honorably discharged in April 1992. After working as a satellite communications engineer and signals instructor in the military, John received an Associates in Science from the University of the State of New York in 1991 and a Bachelor of Science in Logistics Systems Management from Colorado Technical University in 1996. He went on to work as a government support contractor and engineer for Allied Signal, Honeywell, Harris, and STI-TEC. John was a charismatic, humorous, and natural teacher, always happy to impart knowledge and offer his leadership skills to benefit others. He spent many years donating service to the Boy Scouts of America and the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony in support of his children, also volunteering in his later years as a history tour guide at Dragonman's Military Museum.As an inherently innovative and inventive individual, John's talents were manifest in his craftsmanship and skills as a builder and mechanic. He loved working on his prized '69 Plymouth Roadrunner and was a longtime, enthusiastic member of the Southern Colorado Mopars car club. He built up and landscaped his homes, always known to meticulously nurture the greenest lawn on the block. He enjoyed photography, science fiction, Marvel comics, illustration, Motown oldies, martial arts (earning his black belt), classic cars, road trips, and traveling the world. John never hesitated to eat dessert first (baked Alaska, anyone?), enjoyed grilling, made the best pot roast, and especially loved homemade generations-old family recipe gumbo and lemon merengue pie. John was an extremely proud husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Maria Isabel Rhodes (Montano); sister, Toni Elaine Rhodes; children (from a previous marriage), Jack William Rhodes III and wife Susana Elisa (Avalos) Rhodes, Janet Lee Rhodes, Elizabeth Marie (Rhodes) Lambson and husband Samuel Charles Lambson; grandchildren, Lily Rhodes and Lewis, Felix, Boaz, Dale, and Ted Lambson; and cat, Charlie. He was preceded in death by his father, Jack William Rhodes Sr.; and mother, Toni DeCoux Rhodes.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United States military service members, veterans, and families through hopeforthewarriors.org.Interment, Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80925. Events Final Resting Place Pikes Peak National Cemetery 10545 Drennan Road Colorado Springs, CO 80925