Alexis Jean Rhoads

Mrs. Alexis Jean Rhoads passed away on October 29, 2017 in Dayton, Ohio. She was 38 years of age.

Visitation: The family will greet guests from 4 to 8 pm Saturday, November 4, 2017 at Lucas Funeral Home in Grapevine, Texas.
Funeral Service: A funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday, November 5, 2017 at Bethel Church Presbyterian Church of America in Dallas, Texas.
Graveside Service: The graveside service will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, November 8, 2017 in the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to make donations to Lexi's cancer research foundation of choice, Metavivor at:
https://www.facebook.com/donate/10211862108160995/

Or to her PayPal to support her family: https://www.paypal.me/teamrhoads

Alexis spent her early childhood in Iowa before moving with her family to the Dallas, Texas area, where she attended Covenant Christian Academy in Colleyville, graduated from Grapevine High School, and attended Texas Women's University. On May 3, 2003, she married USAF Airman Justin Ryan Rhoads and the two began an adventure that took them around the world in service to the Air Force and our Nation. Along the way they were blessed with three children, all born on different continents: Paxton Ryan (12) USA, Hudson Dean (7) England, and Calvin Jack (5) Australia.

Known for her quick wit, snarky sense of humor and exemplary hostess abilities, Alexis made friends who would become extended family at every turn. She served as a Key Spouse in both England and Australia, welcoming new USAF residents and helping them adapt to their new surroundings. She was a force of organizational efficiency, an expert at delegation, and a go-to resource when something needed to get done.

Hosting others in her home was one of her favorite things to do, and she was great at it, once cooking a holiday meal for 30 people while nine months pregnant. She loved to travel and had the opportunity to visit several countries, but her favorite was Venice, Italy. Above all else, Alexis loved her family and loved being a mother. She was involved in her boys' education, serving as room mother among other activities. She relished the chaos of parenting three young boys, and she was never more in her element than when she was with her children.

Upon receiving her cancer diagnosis, Alexis became an outspoken advocate for science-based, effective cancer research. She worked tirelessly to help others affected by cancer, starting an online community and becoming a mentor to other women in her position. This work led to her inclusion in a panel selecting which cancer trials and research would receive funding from the Department of Defense - Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. She often shared her own fears and words of encouragement to help others. Throughout her fight she continued to support her family, remaining involved in school activities even in the midst of chemotherapy treatments.

Guided by her faith, Alexis loved fiercely, laughed loudly, and lived her life on her own terms. She inspired those closest to her, and she will be missed by many around the world.

Alexis is survived by her husband Justin Ryan, her three boys Paxton Ryan, Hudson Dean and Calvin Jack, her parents David and Karen Postema, her brother Jackson Postema and his wife Jen, her grandmother Jean Hofstee and numerous in-laws, aunts, uncles, and cousins.