Cover photo for George "Dusty" Rhoades's Obituary
1942 George 2023

George "Dusty" Rhoades

February 8, 1942 — February 10, 2023

George “Dusty” Rhoades was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, and friend. He was born February 8, 1942, to Ruby Howard and T.A. Rhoades and passed away on February 10, 2023, at the age of 81. He was generous, open-minded, and full of integrity. He loved spending time with family, golfing, dancing, fishing, and working on his many home and garden projects.

He held a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and was a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the US Army Command and General Staff College and the US Army War College.

Dusty was called Buddy growing up in Arkansas, until someone in the military called him “Dusty” Rhoades and the name stuck. He joined the military in 1964 as a Private working as a Nike Hercules Missile Crewman and then attended flight school as a Warrant Officer candidate, graduating in 1966. He served two tours in Vietnam flying helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, receiving a direct commission to 1st Lieutenant during his second tour. He served in a number of locations and duties. He especially loved being a tactics instructor at Ft Sam Houston and serving as Commander of the 1st of the 12th Battalion at Ft Sill, Oklahoma. His final position was a joint assignment at Offutt Air Force Base as Chief of the Force Assessments Division. He proudly served 30 years in the US Army, retiring as a Colonel. His decorations included Master Aviator Wings, Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, and multiple awards of the Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal.

Before his second tour to Vietnam, he married the love of his life, Marcella Clydene Romines, in 1969. They had some wonderful adventures and met some tough challenges together throughout Dusty’s distinguished career in the military. After retirement, they moved back to the San Antonio area and settled in Schertz. He was devoted to his wife for the 53 years they had together.

He is survived by his wife, Clydene Rhoades, daughters Christal Rhoades and Amy Bearce, son in-law Jonathan Bearce, and granddaughters Julia and Keira. He is also survived by his brother Robert (Bobby) Rhoades and sister-in-law Linda, sister Sandra Haldeman and brother-in-law John, sister-in-law Beverly Howard, brother-in-law Eddie Romines and sister-in-law Beth, and his nieces, nephews, and other family, including his son-in-law’s mother, Carol Bearce. He and his golfing buddies met regularly for many years and especially enjoyed playing the Ft. Sam golf course.

A graveside service will be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery on March 10th at 1:30pm. Friends and family are also invited to leave a note on the Tribute wall of his memorial page of the Schertz Funeral Home website. For those wishing to make a donation in his memory, the family suggests Habitat for Humanity or any local food bank.

Special thanks to Silver Tree Nursing and Rehabilitation in Schertz and to Visiting Angels of NE San Antonio for all of your support and care over the last two months. Thanks also to the compassionate staff at Schertz Funeral Home.

Those he’s left behind here will miss him but know he is with us every day in our hearts and in the goodness that he put into this world.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of George "Dusty" Rhoades, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Graveside Service

Friday, March 10, 2023

Starts at 1:30 pm (Central time)

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio

1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209

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