Lawrence Rhodes

RHODES, LAWRENCE L. DUSTYLawrence Leroy Rhodes was born May 20, 1928 in Manitou, OK, to Clyde Henry Rhodes and Lillie Beatrice Rury. He passed from this life on May 4, 2008 at his home in Roswell.

Services will be 10:00 am, Friday, May 9, 2008 at LaGrone Funeral Chapel, 900 S. Main, with Ken Wilson officiating. To be followed by Graveside services in Bovina, Texas at 3:00 P.M., Texas time.

Dusty married Betty Jo Moorman December 26, 1946 in Clovis, NM. She predeceased him as did an infant daughter, Elaine, his parents, brothers, Lee, Lilvus, Nolan and Lyndon.

Dusty is survived by his wife, Viola of the home, son Randy Rhodes of Alamogordo, granddaughters, Kristen Coffin of Aurora, CO, Jessica, Martinez Tony and great grandchildren, Alec, Ileah, and Micah of Cornith, TX. Stepchildren, Les Martin of Afghanistan and Texas, Gaylon Martin Susan of Dexter, NM and Valerie Martin Dennis of Lovington, NM.

Dusty joined the Navy when he was 15 years old. He was in Five Major invasions including Leyte and Okinawa. He was wounded in battle but returned to his ship between invasions. At the end of the war he served 1 year in Hiroshima, Japan. After four years in the service, Dusty returned to civilian life. He was recalled during the Korea Conflict and served three years in Korea.

Dusty served 28 years in Law Enforcement, which included Chief of Police in Clovis, Undersheriff in Lea county, and twelve years a the New Mexico Crime Laboratory. He was their first fingerprint expert. He taught classes in fingerprinting and photography at the New Mexico Police Academy. At retirement he was the Assistant Director of the Crime Lab.

Dusty enjoyed painting nature and western scenery in oils, making award winning clocks in his workshop, photography, playing bluegrass music on his harmonica, flying airplanes, riding his goldwing, traveling in the RV, visiting his home in Ruidoso, square dancing, talking on the Ham radio, the fellowship of the Masons, and E-mailing his friends, some he had known for 45 years.

Lawrence Dusty Rhodes lived a life of service, to his family, to his country, to his state and to his community.

If friends wish they may give their condolences online at www.lagronefuneralchpaels.com

Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel.
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