DANIEL RAY RHODES

Daniel Ray Rhodes, age 68, of Branson, MO made a permanent change of address to Heaven on Friday, July 22, 2022, making this transition from the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, July 28, 2022, at the Louisburg First Baptist Church, 406 S Vine St, Louisburg, KS 66053. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grace Church - South Overland Park Campus, 8500 W 159th St, Overland Park, KS 66223. Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Nigh Cemetery, in Lamar, MO. Dan was the biggest sports fan. You are invited to wear clothing that represents some of his favorite teams: Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs and Kanas University (Basketball).

Dan was born on September 30, 1953, in Kansas City, KS to Leslie and Maxine (Wagner)Rhodes. Throughout his childhood he lived in Kansas City, KS followed by Denver, CO and he moved to Lamar, MO his junior year of high school. He graduated from Lamar High School in 1971. In 1975 he was the camp pastor at Camp Crawford and it was there that he met his wife Susan (Long) Rhodes. They were married on September 30, 1975.

In 1977 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, MO. After responding to the call of ministry his education continued at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, KS. He earned his Master of Divinity in 1983. He was the third generation in his family at the time to attend Central.

Dan began preaching when he was 18 years old. He was licensed to preach January 21, 1975, at the First Baptist Church of Uniontown, KS. Following his graduation from seminary he was ordained into ministry on April 24, 1983, at the Spring Hill Baptist Church in Spring Hill, KS. Dan retired from full-time ministry on November 1, 2018, however, he never truly retired as he continued to minister to those around him. During his years of ministry, he served as the youth pastor at Crossroads American Baptist Church in Northglenn, CO (1974), First Baptist Church of Ulysses, KS (1975), and First Baptist Church of Iola, KS (1977-1980). Pastor Dan served six churches in the roll of senior pastor: Calvary Baptist Church in LaCygne, KS (1980-1982), Spring Hill Baptist Church in Spring Hill, KS (1982-1987), First Baptist Church of Cortez, CO (1987-2000), First Baptist Church of Dolores, CO (1988-2000), First Baptist Church of Dodge City, KS (2000-2007), and First Baptist Church of Louisburg, KS (2007-2018). During his ministry he also served in the roll of chaplain at local hospitals, for the police and fire department and in the 1980s he served many times in the roll of chaplain for the KC Chiefs. He enjoyed working within the American Baptist Churches-USA denomination along with those in the local ministerial alliances in the towns where he served. One of his favorite ministries was with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club at Louisburg High School.

Dan had a pastor’s heart. The ministry that God gave to him was one that was to connect with people. His desire was to not only be their pastor but to also be a good friend to those in the congregation. Dan would sit for hours with people when they were hurting with a loved one at the hospital. He would also enjoy time together in fellowship. Being together was important as was evidenced by the many trips that he planned for the churches over the years. There were trips with a spiritual emphasis such as a youth trip, mission trip, trip to a mission conference or denominational meetings. There were also trips that were to encourage fun and fellowship such as ski trips, rafting, fishing trips and of course there were trips to Branson. Dan loved fellowshipping with believers.

Dan and Susan were married over 46 years. For years their lives focused on their children and eventually grandchildren. In retirement, they spent as much time as they could traveling. Dan and Susan were blessed with two daughters and three sons, Christy, Shelly, Marc, Paul and Eric. Family was extremely important to Dan. He worked to develop a close relationship with each of his children. He was intentional to spend time with each one alone, be it going out to a local restaurant, on a fishing trip or short trips to visit family and friends. He loved seeing the kids as they participated in various activities such as softball, baseball, soccer, track, golf, basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, band, choir and school plays. He was frequently the dad on the field trips during elementary school. Dan wanted to be involved in the lives of his family, which meant frequent calls to them, no matter the time of day. He loved to travel with his family. Before the end of the trip, he was already planning for the next year.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Maxine Rhodes, an angel baby in 1980, and by his granddaughter Samantha (Sammie) Caflisch.

He is survived by his wife Susan Rhodes, his daughters Christy Schultz (Rick), Shelly Gibson (Jason), and his sons Marc Rhodes (Carly), Paul Rhodes (Stacy), and Eric Rhodes (Grace). He was blessed with many grandchildren: Trenton Schultz (Sandy Keta), Cohlton Schultz, Lizzie Caflisch, Eric Gibson, Jamie Gibson (Anthony Jarrett), Bella Arriola, AJ Arriola, Julia Arriola, Erica Rhodes, Elon Rhodes, Jayce Rhodes and Kinley Rhodes. Baby Girl Rhodes will be added to the group in September 2022. He also leaves his brother Bob Rhodes and wife Brenda along with his sister Becky Qualls and her husband Mike. He leaves a large extended family along with his many great friends. He is survived by Susan’s brother Everett Long and John Long and his wife Marcilia.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Dan to International Ministries (https://www.internationalministries.org) or Sammie’s Sunshine (https://www.sammiessunshine.org), c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, PO Box 669, Louisburg, KS 66053.

To leave a special message for the family online please visit www.dengelmortuary.com.

Arrangements were under the direction of Dengel & Son Mortuary Louisburg Chapel, 1 Aquatic Drive, Louisburg, KS 66053, 913-837-4310.