Paul David Rhodes

Paul David Rhodes died on Friday, March 23, 2012 at the age of 90. Paul was born October 25, 1921 in Nampa, Idaho to Mr. and Mrs. Roy and Chlora (Metzger) Rhodes. His childhood was spent living on a wheat farm in Alberta, Canada and an orchard in Oroville, Washington. In August of 1942 he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he built and repaired air fields in North Africa, Sardinia, Corsica, France, and Italy. After the war ended, Paul returned to Oroville. In 1949 he married Joyce Virginia Nelson. While they worked and lived on their small apple orchard in Oroville, daughters Carolyn and Ann were born. Paul used the GI Bill to learn to fly and then to attend Wenatchee Valley Junior College, eventually moving with Joyce and the girls to the University of Washington where he obtained his degree in civil engineering. He was a proud Husky! They lived briefly in Bellingham, then moved to Wenatchee in 1958 where daughter Barbara was born. Paul worked for the Washington State Department of Transportation as District Design Engineer up until his retirement in 1983. Projects that he particularly enjoyed included the Stevens Pass and North Cascade Highways, the Wenatchee urban area complex and Interstate 90. In retirement he enjoyed traveling and volunteer work for his church, Calvary Bible where he was a long-time member, and in the public schools. Paul was a generous man, cheerful and kind, to stranger, friend and family alike. He seemed only to get sweeter with age. He always seemed to be surprised by his good fortune, especially when it came to being married to Joyce, his wife of 58 years. He had a quick sense of humor and many of his sentences were ended by his easy chuckle. He dearly loved his family and spoke often of that love. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Wes Hunter, of Wenatchee; daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Keith Miya, of Renton; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Scott Anderson, of Renton; grandchildren Paul and Heidi Hunter, Kelli (Hunter) and Aaron Reynolds, Eric Miya, Claire and Peter Anderson; 3 great grand-children David and Karyss Reynolds and Hayden Hunter. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Harry and Kay Rhodes, of Boise, Idaho; brother-in-law George West of Poulsbo, Washington; sister-in-laws Marilyn Canfield and Carol Plagerman and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Nelson Rhodes; sister and brother-in-law Betty and Bud Hubbard; and sister Joan West and beloved in-laws Robert and Marjorie Nelson; Robert and Barbara Notson; Robert Canfield; and Donald Plagerman. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Calvary Bible Church in Wenatchee. Arrangements are by Jones & Jones~Betts Funeral Home. Please express your thoughts and memories for the family on the online memorial website at www.jonesjonesbetts.com

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Paul David Rhodes

October 25, 1921 - March 22, 2012