Gale Rhoades

Gale Rhoades was born during the Great Depression in a log cabin on February 3, 1933, in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. He went home to the Lord on October 20, 2023. Gale met his future wife, June, on December 31, 1957, and they were married on May 3, 1958, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They settled in Federal Way, Washington in 1965, and then moved to Kingston, Washington in 1999. Gale and June were married for almost 65 years when the Lord called June home on March 18, 2023. They had two children, Robert with his wife Rebecca, and Sandra with her husband Ron. Gale and June were also “second parents” to many of their friends’ children.

Gale was a man of strong faith in the Lord, and with June, raised their children with that same faith, both of whom have accepted Christ as their personal savior. He built their home in Kingston, including an office downstairs where the Lord “set Gale’s feet in a large room”—a special place of sharing and wisdom.

Gale served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged from service in 1955. After the Army, Gale went to tech school on the G.I. bill and trained in electronics. Toward the end of his training, he was hired by The Boeing Company in 1956, where he worked until his retirement in 1995 as the company’s lead television producer.

Gale had a very sharp mind throughout the entire 90+ years of his life, as was evidenced through his interests and hobbies, such as reading a good book that he couldn’t put down, researching his family tree, learning new technologies, or watching the “pink frosting” on the Olympic Mountains at sunrise. He maintained an electronics shop at home that doubled as a museum of equipment dating back to the 1940s. His ability to fix almost anything is legendary, yet his sage advice and “sounding board” were valued more when it came to life’s ups and downs. He loved soccer, was a referee and coach, and believed every child deserved the chance to play “the beautiful game” regardless of skill level or ability. He felt honored and humbled to referee soccer matches for the Washington Special Olympics.

Gale is survived by his children, Robert and Sandra, his brother, Ivan Rhoades, and many nieces and nephews spanning three generations. His wife June, parents Isaac and Rose, brothers Charles, Cleo, and Ronald, and sisters Frances and Jeanene preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, 12:30 pm at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th Street, Kent, Washington. At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in memory of Gale and June Rhoades. Please leave online condolences at www.powersfuneralhome.com .