William Thomas Rhodes Jr.

Tom grew up in Charlotte N. C. as the son of William Thomas Rhodes and Mildred Lee Rhodes. After graduating from South Mecklenburg High School in 1963, Tom was accepted to N.C. State University where he studied engineering and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. In 1967 he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Suzan Locke. After receiving his engineering degree from N.C. State, and completing his service in the aviation division of the U.S Navy, Tom embarked on a life-long career in the heating and air conditioning business. In 1972 he began working in Columbia for Midland Trane, which later became known as Midland Air. For many years Tom was the president and half-owner of Midland Air. Aside from his career, he was active in many areas of his life. He enjoyed golf, boating, and gardening. During the 1980’s Tom served as a volunteer youth coach at the Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission in Irmo, where he also served on the advisory board. It was here that he met a lot of life-long friends of all ages. Over many years Midland Air also sponsored numerous youth baseball teams in Irmo and other areas. In 1977 Tom and his family moved to Lake Murray near Ballentine. Tom enjoyed every minute of living at the lake, and he never got tired of living there. Lake life was a constant adventure for him and his entire family. Tom served as the president of “Save Sandy Beach” and, along with many friends, was instrumental on two separate occasions in preventing the development of Lake Murray’s Bundrick Island, commonly referred to as Sandy Beach. Due to his welcoming and outgoing personality, Tom was at times referred to as the mayor of Sandy Beach, the mayor of Ballentine, and the mayor of Pebble Shore Road. Some of the neighborhood children even called him “mayor.” Tom was a long-time member of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church where he served on the building committee for the current building.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Suzan Rhodes. They have two children, Kim Rhodes Lee (John) and Slade Rhodes (Tonya); four grandchildren, Brandi Martin Carter (Chris), Grey Rhodes (Hayden), Jake Martin (Rebekah), and Rilee Rhodes Lee (Garrett); and four great-grandchildren, Aspen Martin, Emma Jane Carter, Jovi Martin, and Maika Rhodes.

Services will be held at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church on Bush River Road on Saturday, February 21st. The family will receive visitors at 10 AM. A funeral service will follow at 11 AM. A graveside service will be held at 3 PM at Mayesville Black RiverCemetery.