Donald "Don" O. Rhodes

Don “Ramblin’” Rhodes of North Augusta, South Carolina, passed away in Augusta, Georgia, on June 9, 2023. A memorial service will be held at the American Legion Post #71 in North Augusta, SC, on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 11:00am with visitation beginning at 9:00am. Interment will be in Bellevue Memorial Gardens, Grovetown, GA. The Chamblee, Georgia, high school 1963 graduate and The University of Georgia - School of Journalism 1967 graduate, was immediately hired by Morris Communications Company as a police beat reporter for the Savannah Evening Press. Don wrote these words “About the Author” in his last book NORTH AUGUSTA, THE WESTERN GATEWAY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, LITTLE KNOWN STORIES ABOUT A LITTLE KNOWN TOWN published in April 2021: "DON RHODES is publications editor of the multi-media Morris Communications Company and publications manager of the National Barrel Horse Association and The Augusta Futurity. The native of Gainesville, Texas, covered politics and entertainment for the Augusta Herald and The Augusta Chronicle (1970 ─ 1993) before being transferred within the MCC family-owned business to the corporate communications department (1993 ─ present). His nationally-known music column Ramblin’ Rhodes observed its 50th anniversary in October of 2020. He has served on the board of directors for the Augusta Museum of History; the North Augusta Arts & Heritage Center and the Heritage Council of North Augusta. He has been historian of the Jesse C. Lynch Memorial American Legion Post 71 in North Augusta and was made an honorary lifetime member of the Augusta Genealogical Society. His first book was a collection of columns: Down Country Roads with Ramblin’ Rhodes in 1982. His other books include: Entertainment in Augusta and the CSRA, 2004; Ty Cobb: Safe at Home, 2008; Say It Loud! My Memories of James Brown, Soul Brother No. 1, 2009; Mysteries and Legends of Georgia, 2010; Icons of Georgia: 50 Views of the Peach State, 2011; and Legendary Locals of Augusta, 2014." Those that knew Don considered him a “local legend”. His music associates – country, bluegrass, R&B, and gospel -- included entertainers such as Bill Anderson, Brenda Lee, Dolly Parton, Becky Hobbs, The Judds, and locally James Brown, Flo Carter, and The Lewis Family. He made friends easily and cherished them dearly. He was internationally known Sharon Jones’ “fishing buddy” and took action to have the North Augusta Amphitheater named after her. James Brown would tell people, “Don saw me perform in Vietnam!” Don penned the plaque at the James Brown statute in downtown Augusta, GA. He was a walking computer chip (encyclopedia for us older folks) with facts about a kaleidoscope of people, events, history, music, musicians, literature, media (past and present), and so much more that entered his realm of thoughts. Don achieved the rank of Sergeant in United States Army, where he served his country devoutly during the Vietnam war. One if the earliest childhood photos of Don is about age 4 years standing in front of a typewriter. Writing was his destiny, and he was recognized with numerous awards for his publications, lectures, and good deeds. As he wrote for his own grave marker, “LOVED HIS FAMILY GOD & READERS”. Don is preceded in death by his life-partner, Ervin Edward “Eddie” Smith, Jr.; mother Ella S. Rhodes; parents Ollen and Jean Swann Rhodes; sister Ann Rhodes Holland, and brother Mike Spence. His memory is kept alive by brother Larry (Teresa) Rhodes of Goose Creek, SC; brother Doug (Bobbi) Spence of Grovetown, GA; sisters Linda Rhodes (Jerry Bela) Humphreys of Grovetown, GA, and Jan Rhodes (Jerry) Jarriel of Collins, GA; and numerus nieces and nephews. Don would appreciate memorials made to any animal humane society or shelter, any music school, historical society or veterans’ organization.

Tributes

Donald "Don" O. Rhodes

December 24, 1945 - June 9, 2023