Dwaine V. Rhoades' Obituary
Dwaine Vernon Rhoades
Dwaine V. Rhoades, better known as "Dusty", passed away at home on Saturday February 28th at the age of 70. Given a grim prognosis in 1978, this retired City of Tacoma police officer spent the next 30 years defying the odds. Through what we believe was sheer stubbornness, Dusty experienced life events he had been told would be missed. He walked his daughters down the aisle, met his grandson, and watched him grow into a man. He influenced people he never would have dreamed possible through years of selfless acts such as taking food and supplies to shelters, working with local animal groups to capture and find homes for injured and stray animals, and one of his favorite things, baking peanut butter cookies for the Curtis High School girls swim team. His desire to live was only outshined by his love for his family, youngest daughter Rhonda Rhoades-Payne and her husband Alex, middle daughter Page Gaeir and husband Jeff, eldest daughter Michele Wurges, only grandson Dustin "Dusty" Wurges, son Gary Wurges and little brother Rick Rhoades and family Kathy, Misty and Dusty. Although his time was short, we are comforted in knowing it was a gift to have loved, laughed and cried with him as long as we did. He departed this life surrounded by those he loved, and our heart felt understanding that it was his time to finally join the little ones who have gone before him. They have been waiting patiently and with them he will truly be whole again. Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1102 South Pearl Street, Tacoma, WA on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 11:00 am. Reception to follow.
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