Great-grandfather, competitive skier, traveler, volunteer

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Lynn Joseph (Joe) Rhodes died April 21 in Claremont after a four-year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 89 and resided in Claremont for 44 years with his wife, Marilyn Rhodes. A native Californian, he was born on November 21, 1935 in Alhambra to parents Frederick Kruger Rhodes and Margaret Gross Rhodes.

Joe attended the San Gabriel Mission School, Mark Keppel High School, and Pasadena City College. He worked in the sign industry for 64 years with Heath, Ad-Art, Ampersand, and Sign Industries — all based in the Los Angeles area. He began as a sheet metal worker manufacturing signs including many famous Las Vegas neons. Next, he worked as an estimator, projecting costs of sign design, production, and installation. Finally, he moved into sales and project management, where he was adept at keeping his customers satisfied.

A born athlete, he ran track in high school, hiked, biked, played tennis, racquetball, and skied, which was his passion. As an expert black diamond skier, he raced competitively, winning awards at events in Canada, Europe, and California at Mammoth Mountain. He inspired and helped his children and grandchildren to participate in the sport. He skied until he was 84, and his children and grandchildren skied his last run with him at Palisades in Lake Tahoe, California.

He married Marilyn in 1981 and with her children, Christopher and Wendy Rimer, they moved to Claremont from North Carolina. He shared his love for Los Angeles and the beautiful landscapes of California and introduced them to Mt. Baldy, Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite, and the coastline.  He was adventurous, and loved to travel. He and his wife visited most of the states particularly New England and Virginia, western Canada, much of Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Iceland, and Hawaii, which he loved most. They visited all of the islands frequently over their 44-year marriage.

“Joe is remembered for being kind, caring, supportive, loving, gentle, accepting, strong, charming, witty, courageous, adventurous, and young at heart,” his family shared. “He was handy and understood building, plumbing, wiring, auto repair, and sprinkler systems. He was a self-taught computer whiz, building his own system and constantly learning new technology. He was generous and gave of his time, talents, and money to his family, friends, and church. He volunteered at Claremont High School, Claremont Meals On Wheels, Laundry Love program, City of Hope (where Marilyn worked as a nurse), and many events at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, which he attended for 43 years. He loved his large extended family and friends as well as his church family.”

He was preceded in death by his parents Frederick Kruger Rhodes and Margaret Gross Rhodes; brothers Robert and George Rhodes; sisters Phyllis Sarinana, Marilyn Johnsen, and Loretta Curci; and his children by his first marriage Joe Jr., Michael, and Patricia Rhodes.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn; stepson Christopher Rimer (Christine); stepdaughter Wendy Dougherty (Michael); grandchildren Thomas and Rebecca Rimer, Emma Dougherty, Amber Carlson (Scott), Kristen Harrison (Phil), Dustin Rhodes (Brittoni), Brittney Fregoso (Will Harris); and great-grandchildren Lilyan Harrison, Harlee and Stella Rhodes, Noland Fregoso, Lyla, Tori, and Hailey Harris, Connor and Charlie Carlson.

A memorial celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31 at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, 830 W. Bonita Ave., Claremont 91711, followed by a reception in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Ambrose Church at stambroseclaremont.org/givepledgeto support the church and their outreach ministries, to which he contributed greatly.