Raoul G Derhodes

Raoul G. DeRhodes, Blacklick, OH, passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Pataskala Oaks Care Center. He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Helen (Heestand) DeRhodes, and is survived by wife Anne (Marcum) DeRhodes, and sons David (Tina) DeRhodes and Brian DeRhodes. He leaves behind two siblings, Alan (Tammy) DeRhodes, and Sherri DeRhodes, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Raoul, though a generally quiet man, humble in affections, was devoted to his family as his most important treasure. His characteristic laugh will live on with family and friends as the symbol of a life well lived. Second to family, he was dedicated to a hard-working lifestyle. In his early days at Western Electric, co-workers misunderstood the pronunciation of his name and dubbed him "Rowdy," perhaps an unwitting match to his personality. He demonstrated a strong work ethic and skill in the maintenance department, and though the plant exchanged hands multiple times during his career, he retired after 35 years in 2003. Raoul learned gardening at an early age, and throughout most of his life could be found with his hands and tools in the soil bringing delicious sweet corn, tomatoes and many other items to the dinner table year-round. Through his father and his career, he became a jack-of-all-trades and could design a solution or fix anything that presented itself. He was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes football fan and enjoyed Nascar. He was always up for the regular fishing trips with his dad and Uncle Jim, and he also participated on a bowling league with his brother for 25 years.

Cremation will be performed by Newcomer Funeral Homes and Crematory.

The family will accept visitors and a memorial service on 2/25/2017 at 11am at New Life Church, 3690 N. Stygler Rd. Gahanna, Ohio 43230.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be provided to the Ohio chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation online at www.centralohioparkinson.org .