Barbara Jane Rhodes

Barbara Jane Rhodes, who touched our lives with her gift of poetry, was born October 30th, 1934 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and died May 20th, 2016 in Overland Park, KS.

She was born to Robert and Lelia Young, and her older brother, Bob, was born August 12, 1922 in Minot, North Dakota.

As a teenager, her Father moved the family to New Orleans to run a Dodge/Plymouth car dealer: "RJ Young Motor Company". She attended Metairie Country Day Country Day School with the Ott children. Stanley Stump (of 'Stump Drugstore') in Gretna went to Metairie Country Day where he met Barbara. He invited his fraternity brother, Buddy Rhodes, to join him on a double date with her and a friend. Barbara decided she liked Buddy more than Stanley, and the rest is history.

Barbara's lifelong love of verse took her to school at the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop, where she earned her bachelor's degree.

After school, and Buddy's service in The Marines, the couple returned to New Orleans. Barb and Buddy were married on March 16, 1956 at her family's St. Charles Ave. home.

Buddy took the Gretna Ferry and the Jackson Ave. Streetcar uptown to meet her.

The Newlyweds moved to a slave quarters apartment at 522 Rue Dumaine, in the French Quarter. Barb worked as a secretary at RJ Young Motor company and later at an advertising agency.

Their first son, Louis Robert (heretofore referred to as The Special One) was born on December 12th, 1960 and Jason (The Middle Child) on February 5th, 1964.

Buddy's budding (pun intended) New York Life Insurance Career took the couple on a series of moves to Minneapolis, Dallas, and Omaha. They made enduring friendships along the way and welcomed their third son (Last Try for a Girl), Jonathan to the world on December 19th, 1970.

In 1976, the couple moved to Shawnee, Kansas where Barb furthered her career as an Executive Assistant with Crown Center Redevelopment.
Her life was in KC full of Family, fun-loving friends, mixed doubles tennis, and poetry.

In 1986, with both Rob and Jason in school at KU, Barb and Buddy accepted one more New York Life big adventure: A move to Denver, CO. Barb worked for a petroleum company, and the University of Colorado Medical Center.

In 1999, after Jon graduated from University of Colorado, Barb and Buddy decided to trade "The Pinery" for "Holiday Island" and moved to their retirement dream home on the golf course in Arkansas. Barb's writing took center stage. The natural beauty of The Ozarks, a talented Writer's Group, and wonderful new friends inspired her poetry.

A generous gift from Barb's brother Bob and the draw of children & grandchildren prompted a return to Kansas City in 2011. They found the perfect house in Overland Park right between the Rob's and Jason's families. Their home quickly became the center of the Rhodes universe, their living room hosting weekly gatherings of family, and of course, new friends. Barb's social and writing circles (The Housewives of Overland Park) filled her life with joy. The Overland Park home has hosted countless family gatherings, Holiday celebrations, and most recently Barb and Bud's 60th Wedding Anniversary. Throughout her battle with cancer the house saw a steady stream of neighbors, friends, and family. All of them bringing love, support, and food for Barb and Buddy.

Barbara's valiant and graceful battle ended Friday, May 20th: At home, with her family gathered around her bed.She is survived by husband Louis "Buddy", and sons Rob, Jason, and Jon and their families.

Her impact on us is immeasurable; our lives forever richer. Faith, love of family, wit, generosity, and grace were her hallmarks. We will seek to honor her by following her shining example of a life well-lead. Read her poetry, remember her smile, and keep her with you forever.