More detail on this person: Kenneth (Ken) was born, September 18, 1942, in San Mateo, California to Claude and Elsie Rhoades. He died on August 4, 2022 under the care of Cornerstone Home Hospice at the Villages from Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). He was 79 years old. After moving from California (CA) at age 4, Ken grew up in Holdrege, Nebraska (NE) and Pocatello, Idaho (ID); Moving from NE to ID at age 14. Ken married JoAnn Bastow on June 8, 1963; the couple celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in 2022. He joined the U.S. Army as a Private (E1) in 1965 and retired as a Colonel (06) in 1995. Ken was a graduate of the Army Warrant Officer Candidate Program, Rotary Wing Program (class 66-15) and was deployed to Vietnam as a Warrant Officer helicopter pilot in November 1966 - November 1967. In 1969 while a Chief Warrant Officer flight instructor at Fort Wolters, Texas Ken was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant (Armor). He returned to Vietnam for a second tour in January 1970. Serving in Vietnam he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross, 34 Air Medals 1 with V device. He received many additional medals and awards throughout his military career including 2 Legion awards of Merit. He received a Bachelor degree from Boise State University and Master's degree from Pennsylvania State University. He completed a US Army senior service school, the Resident US Army War College at Carlie Pennsylvania. During his military service Ken completed many additional schools and training programs. He was a fixed and rotary wing aviator who flew over 4,000 flight hours during his years of service. Upon retiring from the army at age 53, he worked national defense and other federal contracts in the Washington DC area for 5 years before fully retiring in southern Florida (FL). He and his wife Jo often traveled from Florida, mostly around the United States, spending quality time with family and friends. In 2012 he and Jo wife moved from Homestead, FL, to the Villages, FL where he was an active participant in many activities from golf to social clubs. He was close with family and friends and an active member of The United Church of Christ at The Villages (UCC). He sang in the UCC choir and sometimes played the piano during services. Ken was interested and cared about the welfare of all individual people. Ken is survived by his wife JoAnn, daughter Kelly Vance (Perry Mooney), son David Rhoades (Angy), sisters Susan Sinicropi (Michael) and Sharon Brown, three grandchildren Joanna McNally (Andrew), Alecia Rhoades and Stephen Evans and three great grandchildren, Isla, Penelope and Lillian McNally. He was proceeded in death by his parents and an older brother Ira Rhoades. In Lieu of flowers please donate to UCC at the Villages Oxford, FL (villagesucc.org) or charity of your choice. Ken's life can be summarized in three words: He lived a life of Faith, Hope and Love (1 Corinthians13: 13). He also believed that the greatest of these is Love.
This information was last updated 11/04/2024
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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