David Rhoades

David was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on March 18, 1942 at Mercy Hospital. He was the oldest son of Harry Rhoades & Amie Virginia Gwinn. He had one natural brother, Gary Lee Rhoades. David's family settled in Kansas City, Missouri, where David attended Southeast High School. David enlisted in the Navy and served in Vietnam from 1960-1964 extending his tour again to serve his country. David met and married his beloved wife Linda Lorene Morris, in Phoenix Arizona. David's passion was servicing and supporting veterans. He was instrumental in starting Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 432 and the Vietnam Veterans of America State Council. He worked and helped to organize the very first Stand Down in Arizona and was in charge of the clothing distribution and storage. He was instrumental in starting the first two 5013c Corporations for the Arizona State Council; the Vietnam Veterans of Arizona Foundation and Vietnam Veterans of Arizona Resource and Referral. He worked with the Native Americans and attended the first Arizona Native American Veterans Conference in Kykotsmovi, Arizona on Second Mesa. David was the first member of Vietnam Veterans of America in Arizona to receive recognition as "National Member Of The Year" at the convention in Norfolk, Virginia. David is survived by his wife Linda of 35 years, two sons, Jeff and Dason, three grandsons Christopher, Dakoda and Dayle and many other loving family and friends. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him and loved him. The family requests that memorials be made to "Operation Freedombird", http://www.operationfreedombird.org/ in his name, in continuance of service to our veterans.