Obituary of John Douglas Rhodes

John Douglas “Dusty” Rhodes of Annandale, Virginia died October 22, 2013. He was 86 years old. He is survived by his five daughters, Teresa McDonald (Ian), Susan Hellyer (John), Peggy Florentz, Lorraine Holder and Janet Harkness (David); 19 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 56 years, Juanita, who died in 2008. Mr. Rhodes was a native of Kittanning, Pennsylvania and served in the U.S. Navy after graduation from high school in the last year of World War II. After his time with the Navy, he completed an associate’s degree in electrical engineering and began a long career with RCA. He began with radio signal training and his work evolved through the technology of the 20th century and he completed his career as a project manager in satellite tracking at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. Mr. Rhodes was an accomplished musician and he loved his involvement with musical theater. He spent many years working with the Burn Brae Dinner Theater in Burtonsville, Maryland, helping to design and build the sets for countless productions and appearing in many musicals. He loved music and played many instruments, including the guitar, drums and piano. He was an avid sports fan and was a dedicated fan of the Washington Redskins and the Washington Nationals, and ever mourned the loss of the Washington Senators baseball team. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 27th at 3pm at the home of his granddaughter, Rusty Hodgkin.