Funeral service for Ernest Edward Rhodes, 86, Lawton, will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday at the Becker Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with Rev. Wayne Chaplin, pastor of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of the Becker Funeral Home & Cremation Service. Ernest died Saturday, Mar 03, 2012, in Lawton. He was born on Feb. 15, 1926, in Holliday, OK, to James A. and Ethel M. (Actkinson) Rhodes. He attended Lincoln Elementary, Lawton Junior High, and Lawton High School. During WWII he served as a Coxswain in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946. The love of his life, Virginia Elizabeth Godfred, captured his heart, and they were married on Mar. 12, 1948 in Wichita Falls, TX. This union resulted in their greatest joy- a son, Ernest Allen Rhodes. The birth of his granddaughter Aubrena Mae (Bateman) O'Neal allowed him to become an expert in Smurfs, Care Bears, and Cabbage Patch Dolls. Ernest worked at Automotive Parts, Inc. and Ben Leva Auto Supply prior to co-owning J&E Import Carparts. He then managed Dunbar Oil Company/KC Distributors until his retirement. During his 25 years as a Mason, he became a Master Mason at Lawton Lodge 183 and a 32nd Degree Mason at McAllister Consistory. He is survived by his son, Allen Rhodes, Lawton, OK; a granddaughter and her husband, Aubrena Mae and LT Matthew R. O'Neal, San Diego, CA; a great-grandchild on the way; a sister, Estelle Pickens, Geronimo, OK; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife and parents.