Cover photo for Thomas Ray Rhodes's Obituary
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1957 Thomas 2025

Thomas Ray Rhodes

September 6, 1957 — January 14, 2025

Seneca, PA

Thomas Ray Rhodes, age 67 of Seneca, PA passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at UPMC Hamot in Erie.

Born in Oil City, Pennsylvania on September 6, 1957. He was the son of the late Carole L. (Anderson) Yeager and Blaine E. Rhodes. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jeffrey Rhodes, and his beloved dog Bud.

He was a graduate of Oil City Highschool in 1975.

As a teenager, Tom had a newspaper route in Oil City with the Derrick newspaper, which is where his hard work ethic began. As a young man Tom worked with his father Blaine at B.P. Rhodes and Son digging water lines for the family-owned water utility company. In his late twenties he went on to own, operate, and maintain Seneca Acres Mobile Home Park for the next 44 years. 

Tom was a kind, hardworking, caring person who would help anyone in need. He spent many years of his life enjoying the outdoors and had a passion for hunting, canoeing, camping, bonfires, and music. One of his favorite pastimes was reading Reader’s Digest at his leisure and clipping out articles to share with friends and family. 

He loved to teach his grandchildren how to hunt, build fires, and use his tools as children. He used to give his grandchildren and children that lived in the mobile home park rides in the bucket of his backhoe for fun. He will forever be known as his grandchildren’s “Peepaw.”

His favorite poem Desiderata by Max Ehrmann states “And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.” He strived to see the good in people even when they could not in themselves. His spirit and tenacity for life and the love he gave to the people closest to him will be deeply missed by all that knew him.

Tom is survived by his children Rebecca Babis and her husband Jason, Sean Roberts and his wife Christina, and Dawn Flinspach; his grandchildren: Coda, Kaleb, and Zachariah Babis, McKinleigh Flinspach, Anthony Nardacci, Adison Chapin and her husband Devin, and their son Colson who is his first great grandchild.

He is also survived by eight siblings: Terry Rhodes, Randall Rhodes and his wife Jacki, Kevin Rhodes and his wife Joyce, Gregory Rhodes and his wife Edie, Bryce Rhodes, Cinda Walentoski and her husband Randy, Beth Blum and her husband Mike, and Lindsay Fernandez-Rhodes and her husband Jaun; His Uncle Gerald Anderson and wife Carol. Nieces and nephews: Debra Rhodes, Crystal Crusan, Amanda Battin, Keith Battin, David Rhodes, Luke Blum, Abby Walentoski, and Tim Walentoski. Cousins: Pamela Ruth, Cori Sharpe, Jodi Anderson, and Megan Martin; and many other beloved family members. Also surviving is his close friend for many years Jeff Dykins.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The family suggests memorial donations be made to any choice of church or local nursing home.

There will be no visitation or services.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 312 West Park St. Franklin.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting huffguthrie.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Ray Rhodes, please visit our flower store.

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