Melvin Rhoades

RHOADES, Melvin K., of Colonial Heights, died Tuesday, March 17, 2009. He was born on January 15, 1929 in Auburn, Nebraska to the late James and Daisy Rhoades. He attended Auburn High School, and excelled in football and track. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in the 82nd Airborne. He met his future wife, Toby, at a chaperoned dance held on base. They married in 1951. After graduating from Campbell College with an A.B., he joined the U.S. Civil Service in 1952 and was assigned positions at Fort Monroe and Fort Lee where he was the first civilian commander of the Computer Systems Support Group. Soon after, he worked with Information Technology Solutions as a consultant for 4 years and enjoyed the camaraderie of working with old friends. Besides his parents, Mel was preceded in death by his younger brother, Everett, a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lottie and J.D. Lamm of Coats, North Carolina. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Zenobia "Toby" Rhoades; two daughters, Melanie Gerheart and husband, Walter of Colonial Heights, and Zee Toledo and husband, Al of Richmond; two grandchildren, Peter and Maggie Gerheart; one brother, Fletcher "Dusty" Rhoades and wife, Johnny of Auburn, Nebraska; and a sister-in-law, Beverly Rhoades of Garnett, Kansas. Mel was a great jitterbug dancer, loved his vegetable and flower gardens, was a diehard Redskins and Nebraska Cornhuskers fan, a stock market "analyst," and a lifelong Democrat. The family wishes to thank the ladies who took wonderful care of Dad. Thanks also to Odyssey Hospice for their care of Dad in his last months. He will be missed. His family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, 2009 at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. Burial will be private in Coats, North Carolina. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association 4600 Cox Road, Suite 130, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.