Ronald James "Jim" Rhodes Jr.

Feb 5, 1942 - Jan 26, 2019

CASA GRANDE — Ronald James "Jim" Rhodes Jr., 76, of Casa Grande died on Jan. 26, 2019, at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.

Mr. Rhodes was born on Feb. 5, 1942, in Detroit to Ronald J. Rhodes Sr. and Leona M. (Lewis) Rhodes. He was a Detroit police officer and sergeant from 1965 until 1972. He later was a sales manager for Motorola. After moving to Arizona, he was director of the Small Business Development Center at Central Arizona College for 12 years, coaching and mentoring many people in their businesses.

Active in the Casa Grande community, he was an adviser for the Casa Grande Youth Commission for 14 years, served on the Paramount Foundation and Restore to Life boards and taught classes at Seeds of Hope's Jobs for Life program for four years. He also was an elementary school substitute teacher.

Survivors include his wife, Debra K.; five sons and daughters, Ronald J. Rhodes 3rd of Illinois, Elizabeth (Rhodes) Chi of Illinois, Michele (Duff) Aucello of Michigan, Mark Duff of Michigan and Melissa Duff of Montana; a sister, Kathleen (Rhodes) Mechigian of Michigan; and 10 grandchildren. 

Celebration of life at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Paramount Theatre.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to Seeds of Hope.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel in charge of arrangements