Ronald "Ronnie" Rodney Rhoades

Ronald Rodney “Ronnie” Rhoades (1934-2026)
Ron Rhoades, a man who lived 91 years with more panache than most people manage in a dozen lifetimes, has passed away. He left peacefully with his loving children by his side, likely wondering if he could have squeezed just one more adventure into his schedule. Born in Covington, Ohio, Ron was an athlete who made high school look like his personal playground. As the starting quarterback and a formidable basketball guard for Covington High, he set records that probably still stand today—though he’d be the first to tell you he could still break them if he had a decent pair of sneakers.  He took his talents to The Ohio State University, where he cultivated a social life that would make a modern celebrity jealous. Between befriending the likes of Bobby Knight and Jack Nicklaus, Ron cemented his lifelong, unwavering devotion to Buckeye sports. A season football ticket holder for 40 years, he treated his pocket-dwelling buckeye like a sacred relic. Even in his later years, he made sure to catch a game with his son, Josh, proving that some loyalties are truly eternal. Ron was a Renaissance man in the truest sense. He was an astute businessman who survived the closing of a GM plant, traded in his tie for a paratrooper’s wings in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne, and eventually climbed the ranks as a managing plant director for Owens-Illinois. His career took him from Ohio to Vineland and Randolph, New Jersey, and eventually across the pond to Bath, England. His thirst for adventure was insatiable. Whether he was trekking through Egypt, embarking on an African safari, or simply looking sharp in his sleek Jaguar, Ron was always moving. He eventually found his way to Harbourtown in Hilton Head, and sunny Florida, which served as the backdrop for his well-deserved retirement. But if you asked Ron about his greatest hits, he wouldn't mention the corporate boardrooms. He’d tell you about the time his daughter Jennifer, and son Josh, took him to his first live concert—Billy Joel—or the joy of celebrating his 90th birthday with Jennifer at the Grove Park Inn. He deeply valued his personal time, whether it was sharing dinners with his son Jason, having his faithful Sunday night check-in calls with Jennifer, or engaging in spirited business discussions with his son Josh, where he loved to share his hard-won wisdom. He was a prankster of the highest order, known for leaping out to scare his children for pure amusement and marching them around the house to the beat of the "boom boom" song. He taught his children to appreciate nature, though his methods were... unique. A "hike" to pick up trash or even a “time-out" where the kids were required to hug a tree until they learned their lesson. Ron was a man who loved a good tune—ABBA, Johnny Cash, and Simon & Garfunkel were his staples—and he was an endless, classy flirt who knew his way around a room. Although not one to kiss and tell, Ron did share a time which he described as his deterioration in third grade when he sneaked over to the girl side of the playground and kissed Sarah McCool (for the first and last time) while she was jumping rope. In his final years, he became a local legend in his community, well-known for walking the Greenway at Riverwalk with pockets full of chocolates, which he dispensed to friends and neighbors like a sweet-toothed Santa Claus. He is survived by his children, Jennifer Rhoades, Josh Rhoades, and Jason Rhoades; his beloved grandchildren, Sydney Rhoades, Harrison Rhoades, Maddie & Lizzie Faria and Zack & Beth Koval. He was preceded in death by his sister, Janet and his brothers, Robert and Jim (both proud WWII veterans). He also leaves behind a community of friends who will miss his friendship and charm. He was a father, a gentleman, a prankster, and a Buckeye until the very end. And for the record, he always reminded everyone: don't forget the 'a' in the name Rhoades. May he find the best seat in the stadium and the fastest car on the road, always looking down with love on his children, family, and friends. Visitation on Saturday. June 20th, at 10:00 Am with a procession to line up and go at 11:00 AM to Highland Cemetery, Covington for a Graveside Service. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.stockerfraley.com.

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