Cape loses civic, business leader Gene Rhodes

Cape Girardeau lost an influential leader last week when former Mayor Francis "Gene" Rhodes died at the age of 88.

Rhodes was mayor from 1986 to 1994. The city made great strides during his tenure, including the opening of the Show Me Center and fire station; the launch of a federal flood-control project; and the introduction of the ward system to the city's governing structure.

Rhodes also served two stints in the Army, once in Okinawa in the South Pacific during World War II and later at Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco during the Korean War.

Rhodes was also well known as a prominent businessman. He served as president of Rhodes Oil Cos. and founded Rhodes 101 Convenience Stores.

We offer our condolences to the Rhodes family and our appreciation for all of the good that Rhodes did for Cape Girardeau and beyond.