Robert "Choppy" Lee Rhoades

He was the youngest of twelve children, four boys and eight girls. He graduated from Eaton High School in 1940 and worked several different jobs around town before entering the Navy a few months after Pearl Harbor. He served aboard five different cargo ships while manning guns for the Navy Armed Guard in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters of Operation. He was discharged in October 1946 in California and returned to Eaton to join his wife and son. He was a member of the American Legion Post #26 in Eaton serving one year as Commander. Upon moving to Tucson, he became a member of American Legion Post #36.

He married Geraldine E. Baum on November 2, 1943 in Cheyenne, WY while on leave and they welcomed a son in August 1944 and a daughter in November 1947. They lived in Eaton until 1992 when they moved to Tucson, AZ to avoid the snow. Choppy and Gerry enjoyed a summer home in Red Feather Lakes, CO for twenty years before the trip between CO and AZ became too much and they became full-time Tucson residents in 1996. Gerry passed away in 2010.

Choppy worked for Mountain Bell/ US West in Eaton, Greeley, and Ft. Collins CO areas for 34 years before retiring in 1981.

He is survived by his son, David of Green Valley, AZ and daughter, Susan (Richard) Perotti of Tucson. Five grandchildren; Beth Rhoades of Tucson, Jeff (Kim) Rhoades of Prunedale, CA, Alexa DuBois Core of Salt Lake City, UT, Joshua (Jocie) Perotti of Fruita, CO and Lyndsey (Jay) Hromatka, Hiilsboro, OR.; seven great-grandchildren: Sophie and Elsie DuBois, Dixie Core; Rome, Capri and Torino Perotti; and Ellis Hromatka.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and his siblings along with a daughter in-law, Catherine Rhoades.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday June 2nd at 2pm at East Lawn Mortuary, 5301 E Grant Rd, Tucson. Cremation and a private inurnment will be held at a later time. Memorials may be made to Honor Flight of Southern AZ or a charity of your choice.