Francis "Gene" Rhodes

Francis Eugene "Gene" Rhodes, 88, of Cape Girardeau peacefully passed away Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, at Chateau Girardeau surrounded by daughters.

He was born on July 24, 1926, in Toga, Missouri, eldest son of the late Helen Zimmer and Asa Rhodes. Raised in a humble upbringing, he was one of seven children. On Nov. 24, 1948, he married Edvira A. Messmer at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso, Missouri.

He was drafted into the Army in November 1944 and subsequently graduated early from Advance High School that December. He served twice in the U.S. Army (7th Infantry Division) on Okinawa in the South Pacific Theatre during World War II as a master sergeant, and at Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco during the Korean conflict.

Following his discharge, he attended Steimle Business College. He was employed 10 years by R.B. Potashnick Construction Co., where, in his words, he received "the best education possible." He held Mr. Potashnick in high esteem and spent the remainder of his life emulating a charitable spirit "paying it forward" not only for family but untold others.

Before founding Rhodes Oil Cos. in 1963, he was a commissioned delivery salesman for Gulf Oil Corp. He embarked on his career as an oil jobber, providing fuel to independent retail service stations and farmers throughout the area. Over time, he expanded his oil company into the gasoline retail market, establishing Rhodes Pump-Ur-Own self-service gas stations that would later become Rhodes 101 Convenience Stores. During his career in the petroleum industry, he held many positions of leadership at the state level and served on various national committees.

He served as mayor of Cape Girardeau from 1986 to 1994, in addition to extensive civic activities related to commerce and growth in the Southeast Missouri area. He also served from 1996 to 2002 on the board of directors of The Bank of Missouri, where his support and encouragement vastly influenced the expansion and success of the bank.

He was a devout Catholic, and was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish for more than 50 years, where he generously served with his time, talent and benevolent spirit. He was chairman of St. Vincent Parish Council for four years, during which time the new St. Vincent de Paul Church was built, along with the Parish Center addition to the school.

He is survived by his six daughters, Patricia (Gary Lynch) Bratton, Teresa (Jim) Maurer and Suzie (Jim) Vickery of Cape Girardeau, and Carla (Craig) Millham, Bonnie (Roger) Poythress and Elaine (Brad) Beussink of Jackson. He is also survived by 21 beloved grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren (with one "on the way"). He is also survived by one brother, Donald (Sandy) Rhodes of Dexter, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Edvira; an infant granddaughter; his parents; four sisters; and one brother.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with parish prayers at 7 p.m., and from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

Funeral Mass will be 2 p.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. David Hulshof officiating. Burial with full military honors will take place in St. Mary's Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Birthright, the American Cancer Society and Wounded Warriors.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.