Ross Rhoades

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Charles Ross Rhoades, 75, of Neosho, Missouri, peacefully passed away on April 11, 2022, with his wife by his side, after a difficult battle with cancer.

Ross was born on December 27, 1946, to Virgil Winston Rhoades and Clara Christine (Ellsworth) Rhoades in Wichita, Kansas, where his father was an engineer for the aviation industry. 

Following the tragic death of his father in an automobile accident when Ross was a child, he and his family moved to Mulvane, Kansas, and then to Goodman, Missouri, where his mother and step-father operated a family farm.

 

Ross graduated from Neosho High School in 1964, and attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, until enlisting in the United States Army in 1965. Following his honorable discharge, Ross graduated from Southwest Missouri State University with a B.S. in Economics and thereafter from the University of Missouri School of Law, with a J.D., in 1972.

After passing the bar, Ross moved with his family to Noel, Missouri, and began practicing law in Pineville, Missouri, first working as an associate for James Paul, of The Paul Law Firm, before serving McDonald County as a magistrate and probate judge for approximately 2 years. Thereafter, Ross formed a law firm and partnership with Robert W. Evenson.

In 1978, Ross relocated his family from Noel, Missouri, to Neosho, Missouri, where he opened his own law practice on the west side of the square in downtown Neosho. It was in this office that he practiced until his death, after serving clients of southwest Missouri for 50 years, a milestone of which he was particularly proud. Ross was unapologetically zealous for the benefit of his clients, believing that our justice system was the best in the world. He was humbled and honored to be a part of that system. He enjoyed mentoring young lawyers, and took very seriously his oath to practice law “with consideration for the defenseless and oppressed.”

Ross is survived by his wife, Ann Meredith Rhoades, of the home. In addition, he is survived three children: Anna Christine Rhoades Day and her husband, Brett Day; Charles Clark Rhoades and his wife, Chyna Rhoades; and Ryan Land, and his wife, Laura Land, all of Neosho, Missouri; two siblings: Dennis Rhoades and his wife Jennis Rhoades, of Denver, Colorado; and Tammy Palmer and her husband Bill Palmer, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; six grandchildren: Kennedy Rhoades, Isabel Rhoades, Michael Day, Abigail Day, Roman Boes, and June Land. He is also survived by his former wife, Linda Clark, and a host of close friends.

In lieu of flowers, monetary contributions may be made to the Talkington Foundation, in care of Clark Funeral Home P.O Box 66, Neosho, MO.

A private graveside service will be scheduled at a later date.