Ron Rhodes

Ronald Raymond Rhodes was born August 11, 1947 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to James Luther and Ruth Harold Rhodes. He departed his earthly home November 18, 2025.

Raised in Corning, Arkansas, Ron grew up grounded in faith, family, and friends. After graduating from Corning High School in 1965, he attended Arkansas State University where he was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity and served as student trainer for the football team.  In 1968 Ron met a beautiful ASU freshman from El Dorado, Brenda Sanders, and spent the next few years courting her.

During the summer of 1971, Ron moved to Cherokee Village, Arkansas to sell lots and never left. He and Brenda were married October 30, 1971, and as they put down roots in Cherokee Village, they welcomed their three children: Jason, Jonathan, and Rachel. Ron was blessed to spend 54 years of marriage with his best friend, Brenda - a marriage and life partnership that continues to be an inspiration to their children and grandchildren. Family was Ron's greatest source of pride, and his greatest joy came from spending time with those people.

Ron worked for Cooper Communities and Village Homes during the 1970s, and in 1980 he founded his own real estate company: Ron Rhodes & Co.  Almost a year into his new company, Kenneth King invited Ron to join as a partner in King Agency becoming partners and building King Agency and later King-Rhodes & Associates to become one of the most respected real estate companies serving Sharp, Fulton, and Izard counties. Throughout Ron's 54-year career as a real estate professional, he was blessed to have many wonderful colleagues and clients who also became dear friends.

A lifelong Methodist, Ron was a faithful member of the Cherokee Village United Methodist Church. He lived his faith every day by example.

Ron was a longtime member of the Cherokee Village Lions Club, a charter member of the Quad Cities Rotary Club, and a founding member of the Sharp County Community Foundation and Sharp County Hospital Foundation. He was a longtime supporter of Village Pride and efforts to fight roadside litter; he wanted to beautify the Village. He was a member of the Spring River Jaycees and supporter of the Arkansas Sheriffs Youth Ranch. Ron served as Cherokee Village SID Commissioner (2000-2002). Appointed by Governor Mike Beebe, Ron was honored to serve his alma mater as a member of the Board of Trustees for Arkansas State University from 2008 to 2018.

Ron was a recipient of the Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce's E. Wilson Green award (2019) for community volunteerism and service and the ASU Distinguished Alumni award (2025).

Ron was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James Harold Rhodes. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Brenda; son, Jason (Dana), son, Jonathan, daughter, Rachel (Robbie), all of Cherokee Village; seven grandchildren: Corbin, Camden, Kendall, Edmond, Kason, Ellie, and Cade; and two grand-dogs, Maggie and Barkley. He is also survived by his sister, Dana, brother, Roy (Jan), and many loving nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 13, 2025 in the sanctuary of the United Methodist Church, 21 Otter Drive, Cherokee Village, AR 72529. Celebration of Life will follow at the North Golf Course Recreation Center, 75 Pro Shop Road, Cherokee Village, AR 72529.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Sharp County Community Foundation - Giving Tree Endowment, P.O. Box 240, Cherokee Village, AR 72525 or sharpcounty@arcf.org and ASU System Foundation, Inc. - Student Emergency Fund, P.O. Box 1990, State University, AR 72467 or astate.edu/givenow.