Damon Lynn Rhoades
7/6/1960 – 2/26/2025
After a long and heartbreaking battle with Young Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, Damon Lynn Rhoades passed away peacefully at his home in Loveland, Colorado with his wife, Phyllis by his side.
Born July 6, 1960 to Donald and Clema Rhoades in Los Angeles, California. Damon graduated from Fair Grove high school in Fair Grove, Missouri where his family resided at that time. After graduating, Damon enlisted in the US Navy. He attended bootcamp at Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois where he met and married his wife of 42 years, Phyllis Stoffel from Waukegan, Illinois.
During Damon’s 23-year military career he served on several ships, his first as a plank owner of the navy destroyer USS Hayler DD997. His extended naval career afforded him the opportunity to visit at least 62 different countries. He and his wife, Phyllis enjoyed the final two years of his career in Sasebo, Japan where Damon retired as GSCS (SW) Craftmaster of LCAC #54, Assault Craft Unit 5, Westpac Alpha.
After retiring from the navy, Damon returned to school and obtained a bachelor’s degree (with honors) in geology from the University of Central Missouri. His new career path brought Damon and his wife to Loveland, Colorado where they have resided for the past 13 years.
Since Damon’s diagnosis of Young Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in 2020 at age 59, his wish was to continue to travel. Many more memories were made, from Utah to Mexico to Maine and a plethora of states in between. He had a personal goal to make it to all 50 states in his lifetime. He was able to check that off of his bucket list with a family trip to Alaska in 2023.
Damon was a hard worker, good provider and loving husband. He loved animals. He loved to travel, ride his motorcycle and most of all, he loved to talk. His generous spirit, sense of humor and love of conversation fueled many warm and wonderful relationships.
Damon was preceded in death by his grandparents and father; Donald Rhoades. He is survived by his wife Phyllis, his sons; Dayne (Ashley) Rhoades and Ryan (Megan) Rhoades, his grandchildren; Quentin, Sebastian, Warren and Cecilia, mother Clema Rhoades and sisters Vindy (Bob) Couchman and Adena (Jeff) Jones as well as many nieces and nephews.
A small family service will be held at a later date.
A special thank you to family and close friends for their continued presence, support and love. And thank you as well for the tender care and support from the staff and volunteers of Hearts & Horses therapeutic riding center, The Center for People With Disabilities, Bristol Hospice and The VA healthcare system.
Please send any memorial donations to:
Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center
163 N. CO Rd 29
Loveland, CO 80537
Or through the website portal at: heartsandhorses.org
My dad was the best I could have asked for. He was always there when it counted, teaching me that you don’t have to be perfect, but you can learn from everything. Growing up, I saw him as this larger-than-life, badass dude. As I got older, he became a little warmer, a little softer, but always remained exactly who I needed at every stage of life.
My favorite memories are just riding around in the car with him, blasting Ozzy and rocking out together. He had the best sense of humor and the most infectious smile. I will miss him every day. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
I love you, Dad! You rock!!
It was wonderful to read about Damon’s amazing life and travels. Sending my sympathy to all the family and special love to you, Phyllis.
So sorry for your loss. Damon and I were on Hayler together and he will be missed. Fair winds and following seas. We have the watch.
From the moment my husband Brian and I met “Chief” he was warm, gracious, feisty and so wonderful a friend.. I loved his big laugh, his big smile and his even bigger hugs. Although I would never wish this disease on anyone…I’m so grateful we were never alone on our YO journey… Before the road turned rocky we enjoyed many fun, meaningful and joy filled memories with Damon and Phyllis.
Because he was loved so deeply, he had the best of care when he needed it the most. Chief… You and Brian behave yourselves till we are all together again. Miss you! Love you!
Phyllis,
Deepest sympathy to you and your family. He will be missed.
It was a joy getting to know Damon at the twice a month lunches the past two years with our young onset dementia group.
He was always smiling AND talking. Always had a handshake for the guys, and a big hug for the wives.
We have been through a lot together in our lives. Damon always found a way to get through the toughest times. Now it is time for you to rest Shipmate. We have the watch.
We have so enjoyed our time spent with Damon and the family. We send our most sincere sympathy to you, Phyllis and the boys. This is a really beautiful tally of Damon’s life and captured his spirit and that ‘twinkle in his eye’ that we felt he always had..
Where do I start? I first met Damon at LCAC FMT school, where he was my craft master and I was his navigator. It was tough and quite challenging, but we made it through together. His support and leadership from the beginning taught me a lot!
Later, I deployed with him on our first LCAC cruise. We had a great time and visited many amazing ports. Damon showed me that there was so much more to those places than just going out for a cold drink. We participated in numerous tours and dined at some fantastic restaurants! We had a great crew, and he held us together, looking after us as if we were his own.
You really could not ask for a better leader and friend. He always cared about our well-being, regularly inquiring about how things were back home and if there was anything he could do to help, even though he had his own family to support.
Both my wife, Melanie, and I had the pleasure of visiting with Damon and Phyllis when they came to South Florida a few years ago. It was a wonderful experience for all of us, one I will cherish forever. I look forward to seeing you again one day, my friend!
Love,
Mike and Melanie Klein
The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for SCPO Rhoades’ 23 years of distinguished service to our country in the Navy. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB at 720-847-6693 or raobuckley@gmail.com. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.
Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley SFB RAO
My heart and condolences go out to you all.
It has been years since I’ve seen Damon, thankful to keep in touch with everyone throughout the years with my high school best friend Vindy. Even though we all are miles a part, special times with your family are many of my precious memories!
Thank you for sharing all of Damon’s rich life story, even in the midst of his Young Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease and for all of his years serving in the Navy!.
Your family will be in my prayers!
Dear Lord, we ask that you guide and comfort the family of SCPO Damon Rhoades. During this time of loss and sorrow, bring them closer to You. We beg You to wrap Your wing of love around them, in the way that only Your purity can provide. In Your name of mercy, we pray. Amen.
On your journey to Heaven, we wish you fair winds and following seas.
Love,
David & Shirley Enlow