Oscar Lafayette (O.L.) “Dusty” Rhodes Jr., 92, passed away Wednesday December 10, 2014 at Rosemont Assisted Living in Humble, TX with family members by his side.
An avid New Orleans Saints fan, golfer, and fisherman, Dusty served in the Air Force during WWII. First and foremost, though, he was a loving husband and the best father his three sons could have ever wished for.
Born in Wilmington North Carolina in 1922. He was the son of Oscar L. Rhodes Sr. and Hepsie Flowers Rhodes.
Graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in General Engineering in 1950.
Met and married the love of his life, Martha Eunice Williams of Savannah GA, in 1953.
As an employee of NASA, Dusty moved his family from Huntsville AL to Picayune MS in 1963 as one of the first 13 engineers at the Mississippi Test Facility, now known as the Stennis Space Center. He retired from NASA in 1980, but returned to the facility and worked for Blount Engineering and Pan Am for another 5 years.
In March of 2013, following 50 years as a resident and lifelong member of the First Methodist Church in Picayune, Dusty, along with Martha, relocated to an assisted living facility in Humble TX to be closer to family.
Dusty is survived by his wife of 61 years Martha Williams, his three sons – Mark Douglas, Michael Lee, and David Oscar – his sister Evelyn “Honey” Flowers, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is preceded by his sister, Grace, and his brother, Albert. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be sent to Rosemont Assisted Living, 6450 Kings Parkway, Humble TX 77346, to pay tribute to the staff that went beyond the call of duty to care for Dusty during his stay there, and Martha who still resides there. Checks are to be made payable to Diane Bowles; please place the words “Employee Fund/Rhodes” in the check memo field.