Civic Leader Headed Barnes-Rhodes
posted July 3, 2008
Phillip E. “Phil” Rhodes, 70, died July 3, 2008.
Born on Jan. 1, 1938 in Chattanooga, he was the son of the late T. David and Evelyn Miniard Rhodes. He was an alumnus of the University of Chattanooga, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He was a communicant of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
Mr. Rhodes began his business career in 1961, working for Barnes-Rhodes Company, Inc., an automotive parts and service company co-founded by his father and C. Emmett Barnes in 1946. During his tenure with Barnes-Rhodes, he served in many capacities including vice-president and president. He also served as vice-president of B-R wiring and controls, a subsidiary co-founded by him and his father. While with the company, he was active in automotive trade organizations and served on the board of directors of The Automotive Wholesalers Association of Tennessee and also as its president. He sold the company in 1982 and a year or so later began a second career in commercial real estate. He retired in 2001 while serving as vice-president of Hudson Companies, Inc., a commercial real estate services company.
Mr. Rhodes, during his working life, was active in Chattanooga civic and political affairs. He served as president of the Chattanooga Jaycees and vice-president of the Tennessee Jaycees. He served on the boards of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, Orange Grove School, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Speech and Hearing Center, and the Hamilton County Family Services Agency. He was named Chattanooga’s “Young Man of the Year” in 1966 and named to “Outstanding Young Men of America” in 1967.
He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1964 after eight years of service. Mr. Rhodes took an active part in his community involving himself in numerous political campaigns. He served 22 years as a commissioner of the Chattanooga Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency. Mr. Rhodes was active in local sports, having been a softball player and later sponsor of numerous teams including an open major team that competed nationally and was at one time ranked twelfth in the nation. He was involved in boating and served two terms as the president of the Chattanooga Yacht Club. He was a member of the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club and the Rivermont Golf and Country Club. Mr. Rhodes was an avid motorcyclist, having ridden his Harley-Davidson bikes on numerous long trips with friends throughout almost all the United States and six Canadian provinces.
He was preceded in death by parents T. David and Evelyn Rhodes. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Alfredia; sister, Lyn Reese and brother-in-law, Clem Reese; several nieces and nephews, four godsons, Jimmy, Mark, Bobby, and Steve Hudson, and many close friends.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church with Rev. Carter Paden III, Jim Hudson, and Jerry Lingerfelt officiating.
Interment will be at Hamilton Memorial Gardens. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Hudson, Jerry Lingerfelt, Ron Patch, Bill Tittle, Rick Jones, Harold Estes, Steve Hanschen, Orillion Hobbs, Rick Liner, Don Mize, Burnard Tate, Preston Shepherd, Parker Wamack, Clem Reese, Jerry Holmes, and Jimmy, Mark, Bobby, and Steve Hudson.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Book of Remembrance, 848 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tn., 37415, Signal Centers Friends of Special Children, 109 North Germantown Road, Chattanooga, Tn., 37411, and Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, Tn., 37416.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 Sunday and 10-11 Monday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
Condolences may be sent at www.heritagefh.com
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 7454 East Brainerd Road.
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