Richard Grover Rhodes
Richard “Dick” Grover Rhodes, age 81, of Brookhaven, GA died Sunday, July 21, 2019. He was born in Lake Wales, FL on August 14, 1937, to the late Grover and Gertie Johnson Rhodes of Tampa, FL. He was a 1955 graduate of Hillsborough High School in Tampa, attended Florida State University, and served in the U.S. Navy.
With an outgoing personality and smart fashion style, Richard spent his early career managing men’s clothing stores in Athens, GA and Atlanta. He later worked in the food industry and retired as purchasing director of the Brookhaven Capital City Club in 2004.
Friends and coworkers loved and respected Richard for living his beliefs. He served as an openly gay delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1988 and 1992 and as chair of the DeKalb Democratic Party. He was the first openly gay candidate to run for a public office in Georgia in 1988. He fought vigorously for basic human and civil rights all his life and became a respected gay activist on all levels. Richard received the Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 and was included in the 2012 Fenuxe 50 Most Outstanding Individuals of Our Community as “The Trail Blazer.” A worldwide traveler and prolific reader, he enjoyed being with people and having fun. His taste in music ranged from Purlie to Pink Floyd. He attended the Spiritual Living Center of Atlanta, which recently honored him as the 2019 Greeter of the Year.
Richard is survived by a cousin, Pam (Jim) Auchmutey of Atlanta; a special dear friend, Duc Hein Luong Nguyen of Brookhaven; chosen son David (Lee) Neubecker and his two children, Braiden and Michael, of Chicago; longtime friend Larry Mock of Atlanta; and a host of other close loving friends.
A memorial service for Richard will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 3, at the Spiritual Living Center of Atlanta. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s name to VH1 Save the Music Foundation, P.O. Box 2096, New York, NY 10108-2096 or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are being handled by the Cremation Society of Georgia in Atlanta.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Jim and I loved Dick and enjoyed his company immensely. Dick and Jim shared an interest in politics, current events, music–you name it. I could walk out of the room and they would still be talking happily an hour later.
Dick has been part of my life since I was a teenager in Maryland, where he would come to visit my parents, Walt and Sarah Brown (my mother and Dick were first cousins). As I grew up, I came to understand he was gay, which didn’t matter one bit to me, thanks to my parents, who taught me to be tolerant by their example. I spent my summer vacations in Tampa with Dick’s parents, Gertie and Grover Rhodes. They loved and protected me just like my parents. And they loved their son dearly (even though he could be a handful at times!). Dick’s passing marks the end of an era in many respects. I hope he is floating happy and free in the universe while listening to Pink Floyd.
Dick was one of the most interesting, colorful people I’ve ever known. When he was working as a real estate agent during the 1980s, Dick represented Pam and me and a friend in buying a Craftsman bungalow as an investmentin Inman Park. The selling agent: Lester Maddox. Seriously. It was the damnedest real estate closing imaginable. We love you, Dick. We’re really going to miss you. But you left us with a lot of good stories to remember you by. And you will
definitely be remembered.
Pam, so sorry for the loss of “Dick” and I met you years ago at his birthday. I don’t know where his cellphone is but I left a message for him and texted Sunday/Monday as we wanted to plan a day for movie and dinner. I am sorry we didn’t make it. I loved him so.
Richard was always involved in some cause. He was able to multi task and manage what he needed to do. He was a true and loyal friend.
Jim’s presence will surely be missed at SLCA. I would look forward to Jim’s hugs and smiles on Sundays. He ALWAYS reminded me of a visit I made to Emory Hospital to see him and how much it meant to him. JIM, you meant so much to so many and always will! I am so pleaased you were in my life. Much love ALWAYS…Essy
Richard was such a strong presence at SLCA. He will be sorely missed!!! Rest in peace, dear friend! Heaven just got a little nicer.
Although I didn’t know Richard very well, he definitely had a presence at SLCA! He was always the first to offer a hand, a smile, a kind word. He will be missed but his essence will live on!!
Always knew Richard as “Dick” as that was how we were introduced many years ago. My memories are many. George Jones concerts together, lunches, dinners, phone conversations, Christmas Parties, St. Mark gatherings. We had plans for another outing and I am so sorry we didn’t get to go. I think you will be getting personal concerts now from so many favorites. I will miss you so much and so glad I had you in my life. Love you 😘
Everytime I tried to say goodbye at the hospice on Saturday, I was interrupted by others coming to visit you. You had a lot of people whose lives you touched and who cared about you. I was going to come back Sunday, but you moved on before I could get there again.
I learned so much from you and have such good memories of time with you going all the way back to our Friends Atlanta days. The picture of me you took at the Democratic Convention in 1992 is one of the few pictures I’ve seen of me that I liked. I didn’t even know you had taken it until you gave me a copy last month.
I’ll miss our lunches and occassional movies together. I’ll miss our great and fun conversations about life, politics, sex and music. I will think of you everytime I listen to Pink Floyd, especially “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”.
You always loved to travel, taking trips to a lot of great places. I feel certain you are off having a great time on your new journey.
Bon Voyage dear friend!
Last night, January 14, 2020, by unanimous vote, the Brookhaven City Council passed the “Richard Rhodes Non-discrimination Ordinance”. Dick and his efforts for LGBT rights are now memorialized and honored in the official code of the city where he made his home. RIP old friend.