Donald Francis Rhodes

Donald Francis Rhodes, born on November 7, 1930, passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at his home in Greenwood and is now with his beloved wife, Barbara A. (Radell) Rhodes. They were wedded in holy matrimony at the American Legion Post #2 in Dover on June 21, 1997. They moved to Milford and lived many years by each others' side.

Don grew up and graduated from Ridgeley High School in Ridgeley, WV, in 1948. After high school he went on to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1948 to 1952.

After completing training at the K1 K2 Computer School at Lowry AFB in Denver, Colorado, he was stationed at Keesler AFB as a radar technician. He installed and maintained critical computer equipment for US Air Force Aircraft Control and Warning squadrons at Nacelle. He maintained the B3500 computer in tinker air force base on Oklahoma, maintained the B3500 computer at the military mail terminal in San Francisco, for 3 years he installed and maintained the B3500 computer and terminals in the mountain for NORAD in Colorado Springs. His technical expertise later took him to Vietnam from 1967 to 1968, where he spent a year maintaining the vital B3500 computer systems on monkey mountain just outside of the danger zone.

Following his military service, he began a distinguished 26 year career as a senior field engineer with Burroughs Corporation at the Dover Air Force Base, where he was known on base as "Dusty". He ensured that the base's B3500 computer systems and terminals remained fully operational around the clock. He retired from Burroughs Corporation in 1986, though he continued to work as a Brinks Armored Carrier until officially fully retiring in 2006 at the age of 76 due to health concerns.

Deeply committed to his fellow service members, he was a dedicated member of the Walter L. Fox American Legion Post #2 in Dover, Delaware, for over 50 years. Throughout his decades of service with the Legion, he proudly held offices of Sergeant-at-Arms, second vice commander, 1st vice commander, and held the office of commander from 1989-1990, and proudly accepted a lifetime membership by the Legion National Commander in 1991. He deeply loved his family, his country, and his music. Dad was a proud veteran and a very proud American who will be missed by many.

Don was also preceded in death by his parents, Leo Martin Rhodes (Wilma) and Lucille Rhodes; loving daughter Virginia May Rhodes; brothers Leo and Howard Rhodes; and sister Leona Rhodes (Lucas); and grandson, Matthew Rhodes.

Don is survived by his three sons, Michael Shawn Rhodes of OK, William Ray Rhodes and his wife Christie of FL, and Donald F. Rhodes II of Cumberland. He will also be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Alfonso Jewell Lee, Destiny Renea Lee, Brandon "Rhodes" Mitchell, Emma Jean Rhodes, and Anna Marie Rhodes; and several other great grandchildren, great nieces and nephews that cared for him and loved him deeply for a lot of years.

He will also be greatly missed by his special niece who he lived with, Marcha Cox (Brian); great nieces, Jennifer and her children LJ, Little Chris, Jasmine, and Layla, Kristen and her children Jerry and Austin, and Dana and her children Makenna “Mac”, James, and Owen.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Berry-Short Funeral Home, located at 119 NW Front Street, Milford, Delaware. The funeral service will immediately follow the viewing at 12:00 PM, at the funeral home. Interment with full military honors will take place at 2:00 PM, at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, located at 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, Delaware.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Don's honor to the Walter L. Fox American Legion Post #2, 835 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901.

Arrangements are in the care of Berry-Short Funeral Home, Milford, Delaware. Online condolences may be sent to the family at https://www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com