1920
Ray
2013
Ray J. Rhoades
January 3, 1920 — September 21, 2013
Ray died Saturday, September 21, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family.
Ray J. Rhoades was born January 3, 1920 in Lincoln, Nebraska to John S. and Anna (Stolley) Rhoades. He graduated from Jackson High School in Lincoln in and then from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1942. Ray served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII from 1943 - 1945. During his service he flew 35 missions over occupied Germany as a Navigator on the B-24 Liberator, "Solid Comfort". After his honorable discharge in 1945, he married Mary B. Smyth in Omaha in 1947. In 1948 he began his long career with NPPD at Kramer Power Station as a lab chemist. He was also Results Engineer and Plant Superintendent. Upon their move to Columbus in 1973, Ray was promoted to Power Production Manager, a position he held until his retirement in 1985.
An avid outdoorsman, Ray enjoyed and possessed a vast knowledge and love of hunting and fishing. A highlight of this passion was his post-retirement safari to Zimbabwe in 1986. Besides the experience of the exotic animals, Ray was struck by the similarity of the terrain of Sub-Saharan Africa to Nebraska's Plains. He passed this appreciation and love of the land onto his family.
Ray was a member of the Hartman Post #84 American Legion, Elks Club, V.F.W. #3704 and the 8th Air Force Veteran's Group.
He is survived by:
Wife: Mary B. Rhoades of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Debby (Ron) Smith of Southport, NC
Daughter: Deni Rhoades of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Rhonda "Suze" (Tom) Piernicky of Killeen, TX
Granddaughter: Shalean (Curt) Rowe of Highlands Ranch, CO
Granddaughter: Wendy (Matt) Graham of Kearney, NE
Grandson: Carson Rhoades (Heidi) Smith of Lake Zurich, IL
Grandson: Christopher (Erin) Smith of Melrose, MA
Great Granddaughter: Amanda Rowe of Highlands Ranch, CO
Great Granddaughter: Emily Rowe of Highlands Ranch, CO
Great Granddaughter: Danica Rowe of Highlands Ranch, CO
Great Granddaughter: Madelyn Graham of Kearney, NE
Great Granddaughter: Emerson Smith of Lake Zurich, IL
Great Grandson: Ethan Rhoades Smith of Lake Zurich, IL
Great Granddaughter: Elle Regina Smith of Lake Zurich, IL
He was preceded in death by:
Parents: John and Anna Rhoades
Sister: Thelma Meyer
Ray J. Rhoades was born January 3, 1920 in Lincoln, Nebraska to John S. and Anna (Stolley) Rhoades. He graduated from Jackson High School in Lincoln in and then from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1942. Ray served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII from 1943 - 1945. During his service he flew 35 missions over occupied Germany as a Navigator on the B-24 Liberator, "Solid Comfort". After his honorable discharge in 1945, he married Mary B. Smyth in Omaha in 1947. In 1948 he began his long career with NPPD at Kramer Power Station as a lab chemist. He was also Results Engineer and Plant Superintendent. Upon their move to Columbus in 1973, Ray was promoted to Power Production Manager, a position he held until his retirement in 1985.
An avid outdoorsman, Ray enjoyed and possessed a vast knowledge and love of hunting and fishing. A highlight of this passion was his post-retirement safari to Zimbabwe in 1986. Besides the experience of the exotic animals, Ray was struck by the similarity of the terrain of Sub-Saharan Africa to Nebraska's Plains. He passed this appreciation and love of the land onto his family.
Ray was a member of the Hartman Post #84 American Legion, Elks Club, V.F.W. #3704 and the 8th Air Force Veteran's Group.
He is survived by:
Wife: Mary B. Rhoades of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Debby (Ron) Smith of Southport, NC
Daughter: Deni Rhoades of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Rhonda "Suze" (Tom) Piernicky of Killeen, TX
Granddaughter: Shalean (Curt) Rowe of Highlands Ranch, CO
Granddaughter: Wendy (Matt) Graham of Kearney, NE
Grandson: Carson Rhoades (Heidi) Smith of Lake Zurich, IL
Grandson: Christopher (Erin) Smith of Melrose, MA
Great Granddaughter: Amanda Rowe of Highlands Ranch, CO
Great Granddaughter: Emily Rowe of Highlands Ranch, CO
Great Granddaughter: Danica Rowe of Highlands Ranch, CO
Great Granddaughter: Madelyn Graham of Kearney, NE
Great Granddaughter: Emerson Smith of Lake Zurich, IL
Great Grandson: Ethan Rhoades Smith of Lake Zurich, IL
Great Granddaughter: Elle Regina Smith of Lake Zurich, IL
He was preceded in death by:
Parents: John and Anna Rhoades
Sister: Thelma Meyer
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ray J. Rhoades, please visit our flower store.
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