[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 179 (Tuesday, October 12, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1089-E1090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DUPLAIN W. RHODES III

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 12, 2021

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, Duplain W. Rhodes, III., 
(fondly known as ``Pete'') transitioned to his eternal heavenly rest 
early morning on Thursday, September 23, 2021, at the age of 61. He was 
at peace in his final moments beside his loving wife, Sherry Landix 
Rhodes.
  Pete, born on November 14, 1959, was the only son of the late Doris 
Millaud and Duplain W. Rhodes, Jr. He spent his formative years in the 
Chef Menteur and Lacombe family homes with his beloved older sisters, 
Sandra Rhodes Duncan, Duplynn Joan Rhodes, Stephanie Rhodes Navarre, 
Kathleen Rhodes Astorga, and the late Edith Gomes. Pete was extremely 
close to his family, his dear Mable, and childhood dog, Annabel. Pete 
made lifelong friends in the Rhodes Drive neighborhood with Dennis 
Walker, Jimmy Robert, Cyril Barthe, Ronald Woods, Don and John Scott, 
Eugene Bart, the late Corey Williams, Kenneth Walker, C.J. LaSassier, 
and Yancy Robert.
  Pete attended Martinez Kindergarten, Valena C. Jones Elementary 
School, and was a proud graduate of Saint Augustine High School (class 
of 1977). He later attended Louisiana State University (LSU), Morehouse 
College of Atlanta, Georgia and obtained his degree in Mortuary Science 
from Worsham College in Wheeling, Illinois (class of 1991). Pete forged 
lasting friendships with ``Morehouse men''--Joe Lewis, Chuck Releford, 
David Boyd, Michael Moultrie, Mark Moultrie, Richard Harleaux, and 
Ernest Cherrie--until the end.
  Pete earned his Funeral Director and Embalmer's License from the 
Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors in 1992, after 
completing an apprenticeship under his oldest sister, Sandra. At an 
early age, Pete worked in the Rhodes' family businesses and was a 
servant leader in the New Orleans community. His parents instilled the 
value of hard work and education. Pete traveled with his parents and 
siblings. He participated in a fact-finding trip to France for 
Louisiana Economic Development opportunities. Pete grew professionally 
as a funeral director, embalmer, and remarkable businessman. Pete 
accepted responsibilities at the New Orleans International Airport 
during the years of Airport Rhodes.
  He was the President of Duplain W. Rhodes Funeral Home, a director on 
all Rhodes corporation boards, and proudly served as funeral director 
to many grieving families. Pete was also the manager of Rhodes 
Limousine Service, Rhodes Care Center, and supervised upkeep of the 80-
acre tree farm in Lacombe, LA. He was appointed to serve on the State 
of Louisiana Embalmers and Funeral Directors board where he served in 
multiple roles including Secretary, Treasurer, and most recently Vice 
President. In July 2021, he was extended for an additional four-year 
term. He served on the Louisiana Judiciary Commission (1997-2001).
  As an investor with the Jazzville Group, Pete was instrumental in 
successfully bringing the only land-based casino to New Orleans. He was 
a member and integral in reinvigorating the Crescent City Funeral 
Directors. Pete was a member of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club and 
former member of Young Men Illinois Club. He was also active in the 
National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association (NFD&MA) and 
National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA).
  To balance his demanding life, Pete found peace among the bayous and 
large oaks of Lacombe. He enjoyed holidays with family there and loved 
traveling weekly to visit Lacombe with his son. Pete enjoyed 
exhilarating activities such as flying airplanes, deep

[[Page E1090]]

sea scuba diving, water skiing, and snow skiing. He would often travel 
to Belize with close friends and family to scuba dive and snorkel in 
the coastal waters. He also spent time swimming, tossing a frisbee, 
shooting pool, boating, and fishing. A proud moment for him was 
purchasing his first boat, a 1982 Mitchell, with his sister, Joan.
  Along with his family, Pete created and hosted the infamous Rhodes 
boat parties held in Lacombe. Pete appreciated fine vehicles, including 
his most prized Camaro Rally Sport, pop-up headlight RX7, and a laundry 
list of other fun models. After a long day at work, he could be found 
spending time with family and friends on ``the veranda'' or enjoying 
time with his friends from Michelli's.
  Pete was the loving husband of Sherry Landix Rhodes and to this 
cherished union of 24 years was born their son, Duplain W. Rhodes, IV, 
and daughter, Alexis Erique Rhodes. From his first marriage to Irene 
Leon Grant (William) was born his eldest daughter, Amanda Duplynn 
Rhodes Segovia (Oscar). Pete was a loving and devoted grandfather, 
affectionately called ``Pop-Pop,'' to Jacqueline Sofia Segovia and 
Matthieu Santiago Segovia.
  Pete loved his children and grandbabies very much. He was never more 
than a phone call away and often talked about their accomplishments 
with pride. He especially enjoyed vacationing with his family in 
Biloxi, Destin, Fort Walton beach, and skiing in Utah annually, as well 
as hurricane and birthday escapes to Memphis. Pete was a strong role 
model to his three godchildren, Ashea Duncan, Tiffany Barthe, and 
Jonathan Plustache.
  Pete lived by some classic principles: ``Keep it Simple,'' ``Facts 
over Tears,'' ``Get it Done,'' ``Let's solve it over lunch,'' ``I've 
got this,'' I'm going to see a man about a dog,'' ``I'm going to the 
library,'' ``Make good choices,'' I'm not getting in the grass over 
this,'' ``Kill them with Kindness,'' ``Sit in the Front Row.''
  Pete was an adored uncle to many nieces and nephews: Lisa Ramsuer 
Fuller, Walter Manuel Gomes (Yvonne), Sabrina Brustie Duncan-Rose 
(Frank), Otis Barrington Duncan, Jr., Orrin Rhodes Duncan (Lurline), 
Omar Laneth Duncan (Gina), Ashea Lanette Duncan, Jasmine Monique 
Navarre, Gregory Hammond (Antoinette), Yonus Millaud Astorga, Jason 
Henry Astorga (Candace), Willie Jaimon Navarre (Ashley), Vernon Leroy 
Aych, Jr., Desantos Joseph Manning, Jr., Nicholas Malik Manning, 
Trinity Faith Manning, and the late Kellie Erique Brown. Also survived 
by great nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

                          ____________________