James Noal "Jim" Rhodes, son of George Washington Rhodes and Susie Katherine Owens Rhodes was born on April 29, 1925 in Mtn. Grove, MO and departed this life with his loving family surrounding him on April 8, 2007 in Springfield, MO at the age of 81 years, 11 months and 9 days.

Jim was a resident of Ava for the past 45 years moving from Mtn. Grove, MO. He was a WWII Veteran and served in the U.S. Navy.
He was retired and had worked for Rawlings Sporting Goods for 26 years as a sewing machine mechanic. On Aug. 24, 1946 Jim and Myrtle Lorene Cawthron were united in marriage in Mtn. Grove and to this union three children were born. He attended the Ava General Baptist Church. Jim's hobbies were fishing, enjoyed working on sewing machines and woodworking. He loved being with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Myrtle Lorene in 1981 and fourteen brothers and sisters and a son-in-law, Alvin Spring.

He is survived by his children, Patricia Spring and Shirley Stinson & husband, Michael all of Springfield, MO, son, Gary Rhodes & wife, Kim, Ava, MO, three grandchildren, Penny, Terry & Kathleen, one sister, Anna Parson, state of Idaho, a special friend, Virginia Burnett, Ava, MO and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services are Thursday, April 12, 2007, 2:00 p.m. at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO with the Rev. Oren Alcorn officiating.
Interment will follow in the Fannon Cemetery. Visitation is Wed. from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Family requests memorials to Oxford Cox Hospice. Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.