Gary L. Rhoades

Gary L. Rhoades slipped peacefully away from us on April 14, 2002 due to complications from surgery following a valiant battle with cancer. Gary was born February 7, 1944 in Winner, South Dakota, to James M. and Ollie E. Rhoades. He spent his childhood in Winner and in Casper, Wyoming. Shortly after his graduation from Natrona County High School in Casper, Gary joined the United States Marine Corps. He served on Active Duty with the Marines for over 13 years, including three tours in Vietnam. He spent an additional 17 years in the USMC Reserve, Wyoming Army National Guard, United States Army Reserve, and the Washington Army National Guard, retiring in 1993 at the rank of First Sergeant. Gary earned an Associate of Business degree from Casper College in 1979 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Accounting from the University of Wyoming which he proudly referred to as the ?real? UW in 1981. He worked as a tax accountant for First Interstate Bank in Casper before being transferred to the Seattle office. He worked at Washington Mutual Bank in Seattle for the past four years.

Gary was an avid reader and enjoyed woodworking, cooking, history, geography, and every form of learning. He truly loved God and often felt and was told! that he had missed his calling to become a pastor.

In addition to his parents, Gary is survived by his wife, Sharon, his children Shannon Rhoades and Heather Nick Hanewald, six grandchildren, his brother Jim Martha Rhoades, and numerous extended family and friends.

We who know him will miss his sense of humor, his ready laugh, and the mischief in his eyes. We who love him will also miss the teddy bear not well hidden beneath the rough exterior and the quiet strength and genuine caring of a true friend.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 18th from 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. at Evergreen-Washelli, 11111 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98133. Interment will be Friday, April 19th at 12:30 p.m. at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 S.E. 240th St., Kent, WA 98042. Services will be held on Saturday, April 20th at 2:00 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Church, 9906 232nd St. S.W., Edmonds, WA 98020.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Swedish Cancer Institute, 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122 or to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, P.O. Box 1947, Quantico, VA 22134.