Dan Rhodes

(From Dengel and Son Mortuary)

Daniel Ray Rhodes, age 68, of Branson, MO made a permanent change of address to Heaven on Friday, July 22, 2022. He made this transition from The University of Kansas Medical Center.

Dan was born on September 30, 1953, in Kansas City, KS to Leslie and Maxine (Wagner) Rhodes. Throughout his childhood he lived in Kansas City, KS followed by Denver, CO and he moved to Lamar, MO his junior year of high school. He graduated from Lamar High School in 1971. 

In 1975, he was the camp pastor at Camp Crawford, and it was there that he met his wife Susan (Long) Rhodes. Dan and Susan were married on September 30, 1975.

In 1977, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, MO. After responding to the call of ministry his education continued at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, KS. He earned his Master of Divinity in 1983. He was the third generation in his family at the time to attend Central.

Dan began preaching when he was 18 years old. He was licensed to preach January 21, 1975, at the First Baptist Church of Uniontown, KS. Following his graduation from seminary he was ordained into ministry on April 24, 1983, at the Spring Hill Baptist Church in Spring Hill, KS. 

Dan retired from full-time ministry on November 1, 2018, however, he never truly retired as he continued to minister to those around him. 

During his years of ministry, he served as the youth pastor at Crossroads American Baptist Church in Northglenn, CO (1974), First Baptist Church of Ulysses, KS (1975), and First Baptist Church of Iola, KS (1977-1980). Pastor Dan served six churches in the roll of senior pastor: Calvary Baptist Church in LaCygne, KS (1980-1982), Spring Hill Baptist Church in Spring Hill, KS (1982-1987), First Baptist Church of Cortez, CO (1987-2000), First Baptist Church of Dolores, CO (1988-2000), First Baptist Church of Dodge City, KS (2000-2007), and First Baptist Church of Louisburg, KS (2007-2018).

 During his ministry he also served in the role of chaplain at local hospitals, for the police and fire department and in the 1980s he served many times in the role of chaplain for the KC Chiefs. He enjoyed working within the American Baptist Churches-USA denomination along with those in the local ministerial alliances in the towns where he served. One of his favorite ministries was with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club at Louisburg High School.

Dan had a pastor’s heart. The ministry that God gave to him was one that was to connect with people. His desire was to not only be their pastor but to also be a good friend to those in the congregation. Dan would sit for hours with people when they were hurting with a loved one at the hospital. He would also enjoy time together in fellowship. 

Being together was important as was evidenced by the many trips that he planned for the churches over the years. There were trips with a spiritual emphasis such as a youth trip, mission trip, mission conference trip, or denominational meetings. There were also trips that were to encourage fun and fellowship such as ski trips, rafting, fishing trips and of course there were trips to Branson. Dan loved fellowshipping with believers.

Dan and Susan were married over 46 years. For years their lives focused on their children and eventually grandchildren. In retirement, they spent as much time as they could traveling. 

Dan and Susan were blessed with two daughters and three sons, Christy, Shelly, Marc, Paul, and Eric. Family was extremely important to Dan. He worked to develop a close relationship with each of his children and grandchildren. He was intentional to spend time with each one alone, be it going out to a local restaurant, on a fishing trip, or short trips to visit family and friends. He loved seeing the kids as they participated in various activities such as softball, baseball, bowling, soccer, track, golf, basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, band, choir, and school plays. He was frequently the dad on the field trips during elementary school. 

Dan wanted to be involved in the lives of his family, which meant frequent calls to them, no matter the time of day. He loved to travel with his family. Before the end of the trip, he was already planning for the next year. Dan's love of sports was known by all who knew him. 

Over the years he followed many teams, his favorites were the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and University of Kansas Basketball. As a young man he played baseball in college and was offered a professional contract. He was also a very good bowler and placed fourth in the nation, when he was in college. Dan loved sports.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Maxine Rhodes. An angel baby left this earth in 1980. His granddaughter, Samantha (Sammie) Caflisch, passed away in 2020.

He is survived by his wife Susan Rhodes, his daughters Christy Schultz (Rick), Shelly Gibson (Jason), and his sons Marc Rhodes (Carly), Paul Rhodes (Stacy), and Eric Rhodes (Grace). He was blessed with many grandchildren: Trenton Schultz (Sandy Keta), Cohlton Schultz, Lizzie Caflisch, Eric Gibson, Jamie Gibson (Anthony Jarrett), Bella Arriola, AJ Arriola, Julia Arriola, Erica Rhodes, Elon Rhodes, Jayce Rhodes, and Kinley Rhodes. Baby Girl Rhodes will be added to the group in September 2022. He also leaves his brother Bob Rhodes and wife Brenda along with his sister Becky Qualls and her husband Mike. He is survived by Susan’s brothers Everett Long and John Long and his wife Marcilia. He leaves a large extended family along with his many great friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Dan to International Ministries (https://www.internationalministries.org) or Sammie’s Sunshine (https://www.sammiessunshine.org), c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, PO Box 669, Louisburg, KS 66053.