May 28, 1956 - March 7, 2018 In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal services are scheduled at this time. A celebration of his life will take place in July. |
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Age 61, passed away peacefully at his home in Kalamazoo on March 7, 2018. Mike was born in San Bernardino, California on May 28, 1956, the son of the late James “Dusty” R. and Rita M. (Carlson) Rhoades. He spent the first 20 years of his life in California, primarily in Sonoma County, before moving to Texas. There, he settled in Corpus Christi where he helped his common-law wife, Linda, raise her three children, Shar, Tay-John and Stephen. Mike eventually moved to Kalamazoo in 1996 and stayed there for the remainder of his life. He worked as a licensed contractor, was hard-working and meticulous and a master at his craft. He enjoyed music and playing guitars; went to many concerts and played guitar with his bandmates on a weekly basis. Mike was a friend of Bill W. and had 21 years of sobriety, that he worked to keep on a daily basis. He was a regular at the Kalamazoo Alano Club where he chaired a weekly Sunday meeting until his health prohibited from continuing. Mike truly loved AA and treasured his friends he met there. He was quite a character and told great stories of his adventures in life. He was kind, compassionate and would give the shirt off his back, even if it was his only shirt, just to help someone in need. Mike will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He was a loving brother and uncle and his family loved and adored him very much. He is survived by his sisters, Linda and Laura Rhoades; nieces, Stephanie Mora, Ashley Allen and Erika Johnson; nephews, Brandon Rhoades and Dustin Allen; great-niece, Emma Vega and great-nephews, Nolan Kerwin, Lane Vega and Damian Johnson. In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his brother, Ray Rhoades. “Mike, you’re my brother, my hero, and my inspiration. Git on wit yer bad self and play your guitar in heaven.” |