Ross Rhodes

Ross Russell Rhodes, 72, passed away surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018.  

He was born on March 5, 1945, to Frank M. and Betty (Loman) Rhodes in Meeteetse, Wyo. The first few years of his life, he lived in Meeteetse until his parents bought the Puntney Place on Cottonwood Creek outside of Thermopolis. His mother, Betty, homeschooled him for four years due to the distance to travel to get to the school. He then attended Hamilton Dome School and graduated from Hot Springs County High School. He attended Casper College and then was drafted into the US Army spending 23 months in Anniston, Ala. Upon his discharge in 1968, he returned to the family ranch. On May 30, 1971, he married Dorothy Gilbreath in Thermopolis. They lived and worked on their family’s ranches until 1989 when they moved to the LU Ranch on Gooseberry, where he worked for several years.

He then worked for Gibbons Company in Worland, Nielsen Oil Company, Thermopolis Hardware and the Hot Springs County Museum. He and Dorothy lived in Kirby, Wyo., where he served on the town council until becoming mayor. Even though he lived in town, he still loved the ranching lifestyle and would go help friends and neighbors move cows and go to brandings.  

Ross grew up participating in 4-H and FFA and instilled that enthusiasm in his kids. He loved nothing better than watching them show their horses, pigs, beef, and sheep. Ross served as a 4-H leader for many years and was chairman of the Hot Springs County 4-H Council at one time. He was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, Wyoming Quarter Horse Association (serving as their president for 1 year), Big Horn Basin Feeder Cattle Association (serving as secretary-treasurer for several years), Hot Springs County Fair Board, Hot Springs County Conservation District Board of Directors, Hot Springs County Recreation Board, Wyoming State Fair Board, the American Hereford Association, and was the Chairman of the Hot Springs County Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame Committee.

Ross is survived by his wife of 46 years; daughters, Darla Rhodes of Ralston, Doross, and Elizabeth of Kirby; son, Harley of Stillwater, Okla.; brother, Frank (Colleen) of Canon City, Colo.; and several nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Betty Rhodes; and sister, Wilma Rhodes.

Funeral service will be Thursday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. at the Hot Springs County School District Auditorium. Memorials may be made to the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame at P.O. Box 6070 Riverton, WY 82501.