Claude ‘Sonny’ Rhodes, 71

Claude “Sonny” Rhodes, 71, passed away Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, at Beaver Dam, Arizona, from a long battle of multi myeloma cancer.

He was born Jan. 17, 1950, in Kalispell to Claude and Stella Willette Rhodes. Sonny was the second child born and the only son out of 12 children. He was married to Kathleen “Kathy” Stock.

Sonny was raised and attended school to the eighth grade in Kalispell. He lived in Kalispell and St. Anthony, Idaho.

Sonny was a laborer and carpenter by trade and claimed to be a jack-of-all-trades. For the past eight years he wintered in Arizona.

He was a member of Fremont County Search and Rescue for many years until his health forced him to step down. He loved snowmobiling, RZR riding, hunting, fishing and camping with his family and friends.

He is survived by his mother Stella, and spouse, Kathy, and children, William and Jason Rhodes residing in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Sonny played a father role to Bryce (Nikki) Airhart. He has eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He also took on the grandpa role for Bryce and Nikki’s four children. He is also survived by his sisters, Judy Rhodes, Kalispell; Deanna (Pat) Grantland, Baltimore, Mayland; Terry (Clay) Anderson-Nelsen, Columbia Falls; Rhonda Sanford, Miles City; Cheryl Benson, Kalispell; Carol Rhodes, Kalispell; Karla Fritz, Kalispell; Nancy (James) Eastman, Spokane; and Penny (Eric) Solum, Kalispell.

Sonny was preceded in death by his father; Claude Rhodes Sr. and two sisters, two brothers-in-law, Mary Fortine-Fisher, her husband Edward Fisher; and Virginia Battes, her husband Duane Battes.

A celebration of life will be held July 19 at Deer Park School, 2105 Middle Rd., Columbia Falls, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with Interment at 3 p.m. at Glacier Memorial Garden Cemetery, 2659 U.S. Hwy. 93 North, Kalispell.