Rhodes served through Navy, Army reserve

Clay Rhodes
December 9, 1939 – March 4, 2020

Clay Rhodes, 80, of Covington, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2020.

Born in Tyler Mountain (Charleston), W.V. in 1939, he moved to Boystown, Neb. in 1953 at the age of 13 and went on to graduate from high school in 1958.

He joined the U. S. Navy in 1958 and retired on March 1, 1977. While in the Navy, he served aboard the following submarines and support ships: USS Seafox (SS-042), USS Dogfish (SS-350), USS Razorback (SS-394) USS Sam Houston (SSBN-069) and the USS Sperry (AS-12). While aboard the USS Dogfish (SS-350) in 1962, he actively participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis and while aboard the USS Razorback (SS-394), he actively participated in the successful rescue of two members of an S2F ASW aircraft that crashed at sea. In addition to his Navy service, he was a member of the Army Reserve for 2 1/2 years.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Rhodes; one son, Mark (Lori) Rhodes of Springhill, Tenn.; one daughter, Renee (Joe) Kelly of Southaven; one stepdaughter, Perrylin Austill of Covington; one step-son, Ron (Charisse) Gay of Brighton; one brother, Melvin (Mary) Byrd of Florida; three grandchildren, Tanner Rhodes, Brad (Chelsea) Simon and Shelby Simon; five step-grandchildren, Hunter Austill, Alyssa Gay, Rob Gay, Lauren and Ashley and three great grandchildren William, Joseph and Jaxson.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, March 8 at the Covington Funeral Home chapel with interment in Magnolia Gardens Cemetery.

Friends may sign an online guestbook at www.covingtonfuneralhome.com.