Kenneth G. Rhoades was born in Jacksboro, Texas on December 27, 1943 to Cleo and Susie Strawbridge Rhoades.  He married Patsy Beesley on May 28, 1965, the day after they both had graduated from Baptist Bible College.  Kenneth and Patsy had two children, son Stephen and daughter Cheryl.  While living in Sneed Camp as a young boy, which was built by Phillips Petroleum where his father worked, he was taken to church by his neighbors and then his parents started attending and were saved. He later was saved at a revival at Bible Baptist Church in Borger, Texas at the age of 9.

Kenneth graduated from Borger High School in 1962 and he graduated from Baptist Bible College in May 1965. After graduating from college Kenneth and Patsy moved to Miami, Florida to work at New Testament Baptist Church and taught at the Christian school from June 1965-June 1967.  He then was called to Blue Ridge Baptist Temple in Kansas City, Missouri to work as an associate pastor.  He was there from June 1967-June 1969. He felt called to minister to the northwest and moved to Twin Falls, Idaho where he pastored from June 1969-June 1983.  He then went to Central Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, Texas to be the pastor from June 1983 until his retirement in July 2012.  Kenneth continued to serve God and preach after retirement, serving as an interim pastor for Bible Baptist in Hughes Springs, Texas and Sulphur Bluff Baptist in Sulphur Bluff, Texas until he moved to Springfield, Missouri in 2019 where he was active at Crossway Baptist Church and helped teach his Life Group.

He was called to preach right after high school and was passionate about the ministry and teaching people about Christ. Over the years, he touched the lives of many people including over 55 people who either served alongside him or that were called to full time ministry under his years as a pastor.  He also had a passion for missions and made several mission trips to encourage missionaries and minister to them.  He enjoyed traveling with Patsy and they had many adventures together.

He enjoyed his time with his family and eight grandchildren playing games including cheating at Dominoes and Monopoly.  He always made a point to call his children and grandchildren and sing Happy Birthday to them very off key.  He made sure he made individual time with his grandchildren and later his grandchildren's spouses.  He was always calling them to give some encouraging words, advice and letting them know he was praying for them.  He had a compassion for reading books and enjoyed ordering several copies of books he really liked, signing and sending them to family and friends with notes of encouragement.

Kenneth Rhoades "arrived home safely" (Kenneth's Words) on February 28, 2024 after a year long courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patsy Rhoades. His son, Stephen Rhoades and wife Laurie Rhoades of Springfield, Missouri.  His daughter, Cheryl Frye and son in law Paul Frye of Dension, Texas. The rest of the family include grandchildren Brittney and Casey Jensen, Colleen and Christian Savoie, Makayla Frye, Jennifer and Jack Baker, Nathan and Anna Frye, Madelyn and Toby Robinson, Nicole Rhoades and Natalie Frye. He is also survived by his sister, Linda Sprowls and brother in law Robert Sprowls and Melvin Hysmith.  He was preceded in death by his father and mother and sister, Wanda Hysmith.

In memory of Kenneth Rhoades contributions may be given to:  BBFI Missions, PO Box 191, Springfield, Missouri 65803-0191. Note: In Memory of Kenneth Rhoades – Missionary Retirement Housing or Freeway Ministries at freeway-ministries.com/donate/

Visitation will be from 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Monday, March 4, 2024 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, March 5 at Crossway Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.