Roland Bennett Rhodes Jr.

Roland Bennett Rhodes, Jr., age 77, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 2, 2024, after dutifully fighting a varied form of cancer, either pancreatic or leukemia (It is unknown as he refused confirmation testing). Born on August 13, 1947, at Fort Belvoir Army Base, VA, to Roland Bennett Rhodes, Sr (Grandpa Rhodes) & Jacquelyn Ionne Morrison Rhodes (Granny). Roland Jr. was a lifelong resident of the Kansas City MO metro area and Johnson County KS. After receiving a basketball scholarship, he attended the University of Colorado pursuing a degree in Aerospace engineering & a MBA where he was President of Kappa Alpha Psi. fraternity. He began his career serving honorably as a commissioned Officer in the United States Air Force serving in Alaska, NORAD and Iowa. After leaving the United States Air Force he began his civilian career in Manufacturing as a Sr. Production manager at Proctor & Gamble and then moved on to AT & T before the lucrative promise in finance & investments came calling to him at Primerica Financial Brokerage and Services. Roland Jr. served as Regional Senior Vice President for over 30 years assisting individuals and families reach their financial goals and obtain financial freedom.

Roland Jr. spent many summers in his youth fishing, riding horses, and spending time with family and friends. He was an avid athlete even in his elder years, being a member of a tennis squad and basketball team. In his free time, he found great pleasure giving life advice, spending weekends with his family, analyzing the stock market and like his mother, enjoyed playing card games of bid whist and spades at Niecie’s and Pete’s place where he was affectionately known as “Homebuie!” “Homebuie’s” favorite bid was “4 NO.” His generous and gregarious spirit, quaint and dry sense of humor, and love and quiet strength was cherished by all those fortunate enough to know him.

He is survived by his eldest son, Roland B Rhodes, III, his eldest daughter Shannon Allene Rhodes, and his youngest daughter, Candice Autumn Rhodes, and was a proud grandfather to his two grandsons, Hugh Rhodes Baldwin & Henry Bennett Baldwin. Roland Jr. leaves his sister, Carol Rhodes Dyson, cousins, Patsy Jo Hilliard & Bud Morrison and all of Kansas City, MO.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 28 from 1 – 2 pm CST, the funeral will occur from 2 – 3 pm CST and the graveside will occur from 3 – 3:30 pm CST at Floral Hills Funeral and Cemetery in Kansas City, MO 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, KCMO, 64133.