Leon Rhodes

Leon Rhodes, born March 10, 1932, passed away December 9, 2017. Leon grew up in Dallas, Texas. At a young age, he started playing guitar in the Pentecostal church he attended. He went on to play with Lefty Frizzell, Ray Price and others. He also played on the Big D Jamboree in Dallas. He moved to Nashville in late 1959 to play for Ernest Tubb and His Texas Troubadours until December 1966. He then joined the Grand Ole Opry Staff Band and remained with them until 1999. He continued playing on the Grand Ole Opry with Porter Waggoner and The Whites until he retired in 2014. He had a lucrative career recording with various artists and appeared on many television shows. He was a member of the Hee Haw band for almost twenty-five years. Leon ALWAYS gave God the glory for his talent. He is a lifetime member of The American Federation of Musicians, Local 257. Throughout his career, he has achieved many accomplishments. In 2010, he was recognized by the State of Tennessee House and Senate for his illustrious career in Country Music and his 50th Anniversary as a musician with the Grand Ole Opry. In 2014, he was honored by The Country Music Hall of Fame when they inducted him into the Nashville Cats Series. Leon is survived by his wife, Judi, of 53 years; children, Diane Williams (Terry) Collinsville, OK, Leon (Sherry) Emory, TX, Tonja Polk, Rockwall, TX, Todd (Tonda) Rockwall, TX, Tag (Judy) Hendersonville, TN, Tara Story (Arthur) Meridian, ID, Tammy Scragg (Scott) Nashville, TN and Tandy Raynes (Jason) Nashville, TN; twenty-five grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary; brothers, Arthur Ray and Earl Robert and his precious grandchildren Ricky and Casey Polk. Visitation will be at Hermitage Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, Monday, December 11, 2017 from 4-8pm and Tuesday, December 12 from 11-1pm with services to follow. Memorials may be made to Alive Hospice.org. Arrangements by Hermitage Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 535 Shute Lane, Old Hickory, TN 37138. (615) 889-0361