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May 30, 1934 - December 13, 2022
It is with great sadness yet great joy we announce the passing of William Allen (Al) Rhodes on December 13, 2022, at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake BC. He was promoted to the Kingdom of Glory after suffering a stroke at his home in Miocene B.C.
Al was born May 30, 1934, in Bellevue AB to James and Gladys (nee: Gilbert) Rhodes. As a youth, he enjoyed growing up with 9 siblings on the family homestead in Lundbreck AB which helped instill his hard-working ethics and family values. Moving with the family later to Albion B.C. where he considered a career in professional baseball as a pitcher and did various jobs before marrying his sweetheart 'Red', Ellinor Thorpe in 1956. After short stints in Port Hardy, Malakwa and Merritt, Al "followed the log work" and moved his family to 150 Mile House in 1965 and finally settled on the Miocene property in 1967, where he built a small bridge to ensure he could get over to his field where the Miocene Meadow Muffins could play a game of scrub anytime, or the 4-H Club could practice horse riding skills. Al was mostly involved in logging and trucking, then became a scrap metal recycler with a crane truck which he worked at until his "retirement" in 2019 at the age of 85. Many families, ranchers, local organizations, first nation communities, and businesses enjoyed cleaner properties with quick reliable service and parts supply from Al and his back forty junkyard over many years.
Along with fostering many children and helping those in need where and when he could, Al was involved in many community organizations over the years. He served in leadership roles for the Stampede Association, Miocene Community Club, the Rose Lake Miocene 4-H Club, the Calvary Tabernacle Church, and Boy Scouts of Canada. He was known as a hard worker with a blunt, direct manner and no-nonsense assessments. Some favorite quotes Al often repeated were "waste motion", "it is what it is", "you can't fix stupid", "but anyways", "it is a sin if you can help and you don't" and the family motto "do what's right and fear nothing". You may not have agreed with him but there was no doubt about his thoughts on the matter, particularly when it came to praising and elevating his Lord Jesus. His door was always open for a coffee and chat where his knowledge, genuine smile and cheeky ways were enjoyed by many.
Al is survived by his three children Victor (Diana), David (Debby), and Deanna Rich (Wayne). Known lovingly as 'Pa', he will be missed by grandchildren Lisa Nelson (Jared), Tanya Dillon (Jeff), Joshua Rhodes, Daniel Rhodes (Marissa), Michelle Slater (Chris), and Corrie Jeffery. Pa has been blessed with several great-grandchildren and another on her way. Pa was also the adopted grandfather to good friend Barb Buck's three girls, Melissa, Shauna, and Christina.
Al was predeceased by his parents, his wonderful wife of 52 years Ellinor, and an infant daughter Dove Lomina.
It takes a village to support seniors in their independence and the family would like to recognize and thank everyone who took time out to help in so many ways such as; giving a check-in call, having a coffee, fixing something, cleaning something, moving something, clearing something, ploughing the driveway, going for a drive, or dropping off a meal. Organizations such as Better at Home, Lifeline, and Interior Health Home Care have been a blessing. A special thanks to the wonderful team on the 2nd floor at Cariboo Memorial Hospital! Every nurse, every support worker, and every doctor we worked with was kind, patient, cheerful, and very helpful. You all made Dad's final days so much better with your care and we are grateful for your efforts.
A service and interment to the Miocene Cemetery will be announced and take place in 2023.