H arold Gene (H.G.) Rhodes passed away January 24, 2021 at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.  Born December 3, 1932, he was the last of twelve children born to Roy L. and Eunice Rhodes.  He and his family lived in the Kewanee area of New Madrid County where he graduated from Kewanee High School.   Known as Scrogg his entire life, he was tagged that name by an uncle who thought he resembled a large cartoon character by a similar name. Today he is survived by one of his siblings, Betty Corgan along with her husband Bob of Chaffee.  The only other sibling's spouse surviving today is his brother Skipper's widow Joyce Rhodes of New Madrid. The siblings who preceded him in death were Shelton Rhodes, Jimmy Rhodes, Skipper Rhodes, Louise Poynor, Helen Tollison, Violet Porter, Addie Rhodes, Roy T. Rhodes, Closie Rhodes, and Vera Rhodes.

Being born during the depression meant life was hard and meant doing a lot with a little.  One of his earliest memories as a child was coming home from his first day of school and telling his dad the teacher said he should bring two pencils to school the next day.  His dad told him there were no pencils and there was no money to buy pencils.  Scrogg always had a big heart when it came to children and tried to do what he could to make sure those he loved never did without what they needed. During those depression years a lot was expected from everyone including the little ones.  From age ten he plowed fields, often barefoot, with a team of mules.  At an even a younger age he was picking cotton to buy clothes and helping to keep food on the table. Other than a brief move to Corpus Christi to live with his brother Jim and his time in the U.S. Army, he remained in New Madrid County.  He never wanted to live anywhere else and was determined that he would not and he did not.

He worked for Mr. J.R. Boyer at the Kewanee Shell Station until drafted in 1953.  In 1955 he left Fort Sill with the rank of corporal after serving as a medic.  As required at that time, he remained part of the Army Reserve until early 1961.  Mr. Boyer re-hired him and helped him build his own Shell service station in Lilbourn which opened in 1956.  The service station was operated continuously for more than 50 years.  He added auto sales to his business in the 1970s which he operated until his early 80s. Scrogg married Martha Fern Rhodes in 1955 in her hometown of Alton, Mo.  Together they had his two children, Sandy (Pat) McClarty of Old Hickory TN and Randy Rhodes of St. Louis.  He was like a big kid when raising his kids enjoying go-karts, pleasure horses, airplanes, the St. Louis Cardinals and trips.  His three grandchildren, Philip (Erin) McClarty of Ada MI, Megan (Brian) Beaubien of Hermitage TN, and Ryan (Heather) McClarty of Old Hickory TN brought him much joy and love during their lifetime.   And they brought him eight great-grandchildren who range from ages 3 to 14. In 2003, Scrogg married Barbara Rhodes who is known to everyone as Tincy.  Yes, it is fun to hear of a married couple whose names are Scrogg and Tincy.  Tincy's three children, Robin (Jimmie) Kimball of New Madrid, Debbie (Chris) Foster of LaPort TX, and Brian Cooper of New Madrid have supported and helped tremendously during this trying time