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Virgil Oren Rhodes, 81, a resident of Albuquerque since 1964, died on Saturday, December 31, 2005. Virgil is survived by his daughters, Janet Rhodes and husband, Delbert of Albuquerque, Doris Rhodes of Albuquerque, Carolyn Jameson and husband Terry, of Las Cruces; grandchildren, Heather Rhodes, April Rhodes, Nicole Rhodes, Lee Rhodes, Spc. Sonia Shingleton, Matthew Seik and Jason Seik, all of Albuquerque; and great-grandson, Justin Rhodes of Albuquerque; sister, Dorothy Brightbill and husband, Bruce of Cotton Center, TX; sister, Florence Rhoades of Ventura, CA; sister-in-law, Iva Rhodes of Lubbock, TX; and many nephews, nieces and cousins. He is also survived by his loving and dedicated companion of three and a half years, Evelyn Schaefer of Houston, TX. He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Irving Rhodes, his mother, Florence Opal Rhodes and his brother, Irvan Rhodes. He was a member of the Rio Rancho Kiwanis Club. Virgil was born in Hale County, TX, on December 7, 1924. He served 30 months in the Army Air Corp during WWII. Upon his discharge from the Army, he settled in Abernathy, TX, married, began his family and purchased an irrigated cotton farm. He loved to fly private planes and obtained his pilot's license, commercial and flight instructor's licenses. He moved his family to Albuquerque in 1964 and became a licensed realtor and contractor. In 1970, Virgil was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives from District 14 in Albuquerque. He served two terms in the NM Legislature and in 1974 ran for Lt. Governor with gubernatorial candidate Joe Skeen. In 1991, Virgil was elected to the New Mexico State Senate where he served from 1992 through 1996. Virgil's family would be honored to have members of the NM House of Representatives and NM Senate who served with Virgil serve as honorary pallbearers. Funeral services will take place on Thursday, January 5 at 11 a.m. at French Mortuary on Lomas Blvd. Chapel, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial. Friends may visit French Mortuary, Lomas Blvd. Chapel, on Wednesday, January 4 from 6-9 p.m. Those wishing to do so may make contributions in Virgil's honor to the Virgil Rhodes Collection at the UNM Zimmerman Library, - UNM Library, MSCO5, 87131 or the American Lung Association of NM, 7001 Menaul Blvd.NE, Suite 1-A, 87110. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE 843-6333
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