Royce L. Rhodes, 72, of Wimberley, Texas died Sunday, September 13, 2009, in Austin.

Royce was born January 20, 1937, in Warren, Texas to Naomi and William Lenton Rhodes. He attended Port Neches-Groves High School and graduated in 1955. While there Royce was a member of the 1953 All-State Championship Football Team.  Royce then went on to proudly serve in the United States Naval Reserve.  He married and moved to Nederland where he raised a family working many years at Goodrich Corporation. He remarried and after fifty-eight years in Southeast Texas, Royce and his new bride moved to Wimberley, Texas.  He enjoyed fourteen years in the Hill Country. Royce will be remembered for his kind heart, his good neighborly spirit and his incredible sense of humor.  

Survivors include his wife, Carol Z. Rhodes of Wimberley; children, Jodi Rhodes and her husband, John Holland of Austin, Molly Moore and her husband, Kevin of Nederland, Millie Mateyaschuk and her husband, Walter of Shelter Island, New York, and Lent Rhodes and his wife, Sandy of Beach City; stepchildren, Julie Armstrong of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Lisa Flood of Round Rock, and Tom Armstrong and his wife, Julia of San Antonio, nineteen grandchildren, Drew, Dorothy, Syd, Clay, Angela, Louis, Anthony, Lent, Millie, Samantha, Carlie, Royce Jonah, Eli, Nick, Blake, Jacob, Hannah, Emma and Chloe; great grandchildren, Samuel, Shelly and Jacob; brothers, Bill Rhodes of Half Moon Bay, California, and Ron Rhodes of Nederland; and sister, Jimmie Nell Schulz-Behrend of Austin.

Royce’s memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 17, 2009, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.  A private committal service will be held at Broussard’s Crematorium. There will be an additional service for Royce at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 18, 2009, at Wimberley United Methodist Church, 1200 County Road 1492, Wimberley.