1969
Michael
2020
Michael Sullivan Rhodes
August 29, 1969 — October 18, 2020
Michael Sullivan Rhodes, was born Aug. 29, 1969, in Buffalo, NY. The third child of Roland Kay and Mary Jeanne (Ludaescher) Rhodes.
He died, at home in Keller, TX, Oct. 18, 2020, at the age of 51.
He was proceeded in death by an infant brother, William Anthony, followed by his father and then his mother. Michael lived life with his father’s stubbornness and his mother’s grit. His early life riddle with health battles from a heart defect and later heart disease, only solidified that stubbornness and grit.
On May 20, 2002, Michael was given a new chance at life. He was matched for an organ transplant, a heart. He knew what a gift this one and vowed to live each new day he was given to honor his donor, Nathan, Nathan’s family, and the organ donation community. In the 18 years and 5 months that followed, Michael spoke at hundreds of events, he spoke to thousands of people, sharing his story, Nathan’s legacy and the gift that organ donation is. During the last 18 years of his life, his stubbornness never wavered nor did his grit, but grace became apparent.
Michael met his beloved Melanie in 2004. They married Oct. 26, 2005, and on July 18, 2006, they welcomed their precious daughter Mischa. He was the most devoted husband and father. He thrived on tending to and caring for his girls.
Michael was a scholar, a craftsman, a natural leader and devote Catholic. A servant’s heart he never saw a volunteer need he didn’t want to fill, a board he didn’t want to lead or someone he didn’t want to support and share God’s love with. He took great pride in serving his Church and community. He knew what a honor it was to be a member of the Knights of Columbus and to serve as a Eucharistic minister. He lived the Knights of Columbus mission. Working tirelessly to build a bridge back to faith for others to see and follow and doing the necessary work to promote and share good in our world.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Melanie and his daughter Mischa, of the home; his brothers and sisters and their spouses, Dusty Rhodes of MN., Jeanne Kay and Tony Hale of TX, Roland and Kimberly Rhodes, of KN. Joseph Rhodes of TX; Kelly and Brian Willis, Anthony and Yahnah Rhodes, Nita Wright, all of OK. and Shannon Hahn of AR. 10 nephews and 7 nieces; his in-laws in the Philippines: consisting of 6 sisters and 3 brother-in-laws, and 7 additional nieces and nephews all of which he loved profoundly.
A funeral Mass was held in his honor Oct. 29, at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Keller, TX. In lieu of flowers his family ask that you remember Michael through service to others, that you share the Lord’s love through your actions and genuine kindness, and that you consider becoming organ and tissue donors. Give life.
He died, at home in Keller, TX, Oct. 18, 2020, at the age of 51.
He was proceeded in death by an infant brother, William Anthony, followed by his father and then his mother. Michael lived life with his father’s stubbornness and his mother’s grit. His early life riddle with health battles from a heart defect and later heart disease, only solidified that stubbornness and grit.
On May 20, 2002, Michael was given a new chance at life. He was matched for an organ transplant, a heart. He knew what a gift this one and vowed to live each new day he was given to honor his donor, Nathan, Nathan’s family, and the organ donation community. In the 18 years and 5 months that followed, Michael spoke at hundreds of events, he spoke to thousands of people, sharing his story, Nathan’s legacy and the gift that organ donation is. During the last 18 years of his life, his stubbornness never wavered nor did his grit, but grace became apparent.
Michael met his beloved Melanie in 2004. They married Oct. 26, 2005, and on July 18, 2006, they welcomed their precious daughter Mischa. He was the most devoted husband and father. He thrived on tending to and caring for his girls.
Michael was a scholar, a craftsman, a natural leader and devote Catholic. A servant’s heart he never saw a volunteer need he didn’t want to fill, a board he didn’t want to lead or someone he didn’t want to support and share God’s love with. He took great pride in serving his Church and community. He knew what a honor it was to be a member of the Knights of Columbus and to serve as a Eucharistic minister. He lived the Knights of Columbus mission. Working tirelessly to build a bridge back to faith for others to see and follow and doing the necessary work to promote and share good in our world.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Melanie and his daughter Mischa, of the home; his brothers and sisters and their spouses, Dusty Rhodes of MN., Jeanne Kay and Tony Hale of TX, Roland and Kimberly Rhodes, of KN. Joseph Rhodes of TX; Kelly and Brian Willis, Anthony and Yahnah Rhodes, Nita Wright, all of OK. and Shannon Hahn of AR. 10 nephews and 7 nieces; his in-laws in the Philippines: consisting of 6 sisters and 3 brother-in-laws, and 7 additional nieces and nephews all of which he loved profoundly.
A funeral Mass was held in his honor Oct. 29, at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Keller, TX. In lieu of flowers his family ask that you remember Michael through service to others, that you share the Lord’s love through your actions and genuine kindness, and that you consider becoming organ and tissue donors. Give life.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael Sullivan Rhodes, please visit our flower store.
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