LEE ALLEN RHOADS, JR. (LEE) – passed away on August 18, 2020, at his home in Huntsville, Alabama, with his beloved wife, Sherrie, at his side. Lee was born on August 21, 1937, in Henderson, Kentucky, where he grew up. Lee was the oldest of four boys, known affectionately by family and friends as “Lucy’s four boys”. He received his Christian upbringing from his parents and the family membership at Immanuel Baptist Temple under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Lyman Smith Allen.
Lee graduated from the last class of Barret Manual Training High School in Henderson in 1955. He utilized his superb skills as a photographer when he worked part-time for Martin Studios in Henderson. He attended Georgia Tech University where he received a degree in electrical engineering with co-op training at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. He then served in the Army for two years, worked for three years for SCI and then began a 40 year career with Hewlett-Packard Company and Agilent Technologies. Lee remained life-long friends with many of his professional colleagues.
Survivors include his wife, Sherrie, of 28 years, son, Brock Allen Eson, his wife, Kristen Grace, and their three children, Annabelle Grace, William Brock, and Madeline Lowe, all of Birmingham, Alabama; daughter, Jenny Allen (Chuck), of Atlanta, Georgia and Jenny’s four children, Sarah Jordan, Julie Jordan Dunagan, Samantha Jordan and Abby Jordan, all of Atlanta, Georgia; brothers, Jerry P. Rhoads (Judy), Madisonville, KY, Tom Rhoads (Elizabeth), Owensboro, KY, and Phil Rhoads (Betty Clary), Washington, DC; three nieces, Leigh Ridley Doyal, Owensboro, KY, Eliza Hudson, Gainesville, FL, and Celia Rhoads (Henry), New Orleans, LA; two nephews, Brad Rhoads (Marilyn), Owensboro, KY, and Chris Rhoads, (Char), Owensboro, KY; and fourteen great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his son, Scott Rhoads, in 1998.
During his employment with Hewlett-Packard he held positions in sales as a district manager and account manager and he also supported a large Department of Defense program from the mid 80’s until his retirement in 2008. Lee was a consummate professional, highly respected by his peers and customers. He was awarded the President’s Club twice during his career for achieving the highest standard of excellence through outstanding leadership.
Lee was very involved in civic and community service. His passion for the youth of the Huntsville community compelled him to become a Kiwanian, serving the children of his community and the world for over 38 years, and serving as past president of the Kiwanis Club of Huntsville. Lee lead the club’s Reading is Fundamental (RIF) Program, which provided reading services to at-risk pre-K children in the Huntsville community and thousands of age-appropriate books to children attending head start programs in the Huntsville area. Lee expanded the RIF Program by adding children at Little Linc, part of the Lincoln Village Ministries. Lee was presented with the Kiwanis International Walter Zeller Award for his contributions to the Eliminate Program to Stamp out Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus throughout the world. As president of the Kiwanis Club of Huntsville’s Foundation, Lee guided the Foundation Board in awarding thousands of dollars to local social service agencies that served children in the Huntsville community.
Lee and Sherrie were long time supporters of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. Lee served as President of the Board of Trustees from 2000-2002 and continued to be an Emeritus Foundation Board member. One of his finest accomplishments was participating in the Music Director search committee that attracted Carlo Miguel Prieto to direct the symphony for several years to follow. Lee believed that the Huntsville Symphony brought excellence to which the area became accustomed in science, education, recreation, medicine, the arts, and general quality of life. One of his goals was to attract a new generation of patrons and he strongly believed that what the HSO means to his community and area is important – yes, even vital. He urged us all to provide great music and needed musical education programs to Huntsville and North Alabama for decades to come. Lee’s ultimate goal as Chairman was to help provide excellence in the delivery of fine symphonic music for your entertainment. “Everything else that we do is tandem with this goal.”
Lee and Sherrie were members of Huntsville First United Methodist Church for 5 years and each have been blessed by many friends, Christian growth, and loving support through this past nine months of Lee’s illness. Lee previously sang in the choir of the First Baptist Church in Huntsville for 58 years and enjoyed the highlight of the annual Living Christmas Tree.
Lee was an avid golfer and played with two groups of buddies at The Ledges. The “Poole group” was affectionately named for its mayor, Bill Poole, and the “Wolf group” that included several Titans of local industry. Scores were less important than the incredible camaraderie that was shared.
Lee also took great pleasure in University of Kentucky basketball.
Lee and Sherrie enjoyed a wonderful marriage of 28 years and the highlight of their marriage was their many travel destinations. They loved to travel and they lived by a travel motto: “The harder it is to get to your final destination, the more fun it will be”. It always proved to be true. Lee planned most summer vacations, which would include classical music festivals around the country, such as Aspen, the Glacier Symphony, Mendacino, California and Santé Fe. They recently attended the 35th Annual Cowboy Portrait Gathering in Elko, Nevada. They also enjoyed hiking, camping and biking, such as riding the trails from 10,000 feet near Park City, Utah.
A memorial service and reception honoring Lee will be at the Monte Sano Lodge on September 1, 2020 from 2pm-4pm, for family only. Music will be performed by the Blossomwood Strings beginning at 2pm, and a service led by the Rev. Bill Crosby and Rev. Henry Everitt will begin at 2:30pm.
For their many friends, there will be a drive thru visitation at the Monte Sano Lodge on September 1, 2020 from 4:30pm – 6:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, Sherrie requests that memorial gifts be made to Lincoln Village Ministries, 1110 Meridian Street North, Huntsville, Alabama 35801.
