Brian Thompson Rhodes

Brian Thompson Rhodes, age 51, passed away on October 8, 2024 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. 

Born January 22, 1973, in Vinita, Oklahoma, he was the oldest son of Carl and Janell Rhodes. Brian graduated in 1991 from White Oak High School, in 1994 from Rogers State College with an associate degree, and in 1997 from Oklahoma State University (OSU) with a bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology. While he was attending OSU he entered into the United States Navy Reserves Construction Battalion (a.k.a. SeaBees) for six years. Following his graduation from OSU, his career in fire protection engineering took him across Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, and then at last to the Texas Panhandle in 2002 when he started working for B&W, Pantex, LLC. In 2009, Brian started his federal career in the NNSA Pantex Site Office and over the last 15 years has held multiple technical positions, conducted details across the Nuclear Security Enterprise, and worked his way up to Assistant Manager for Nuclear Safety and Engineering. He was always eager to learn new information, find efficiencies, and improve himself and those he interacted with professionally and personally. 

He loved his family and friends deeply and showed it through acts of service. He always loved working with his hands, tinkering in his shop or just taking care of everyone around him. There wasn’t a week that would go by that he didn’t grill or smoke some type of meat to snack on for quick and easy meals as he and his family navigated the daily hustle and bustle with two active young children. His love for riding motorcycles started at a young age. He shared that love with his father and son until his last moments of life. His children brought love, laughs, and joy to his life. He was so proud of Cade when he entered into WT A&M Mechanical Engineering Program in the spring of 2022 and started his career at Bell Helicopter in December 2023. His presence in the lives of those who knew him will undoubtedly leave a huge hole in their lives.

Brian is survived by his parents, Carl Thompson Rhodes and Janell (Simpson) Rhodes; his wife, Julieanne (Rendon) Rhodes; daughter, Olivia Rhodes; sons, Roman Rhodes and Cade Rhodes and daughter-in-law, Samantha Rhodes; granddaughter Lakeley Hess; brother Jason Rhodes and partner, Crystal Davis; brother-in-law Timothy Martinez and wife, Pamela (Rodriguez) Martinez; sister-in-law, Deianira (Rendon) Christner and husband, Dennis Christner; nephews, Hayden Christner, Kaleb Christner, Bryan Martinez; nieces, Morgan Hewitt, Emily Martinez, Bridget Berand and Lacey Berand; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Carl Madison Rhodes, step-grandmother Louise Rhodes, Anna Lou Welch, Calvin Simpson, Ruth (Schlager) Simpson; father-in-law, Frank Rendon; and cousin Travis Hale. 

A viewing will be from 2-3:00 PM, Sunday, October 13, 2024 at Boxwell Brothers, 2800 Paramount. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM, Monday, October 14, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, 1200 Washington with a reception to follow. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.