Obituary of Ryan T. Rhoads

SPC Ryan T. Rhoads, 23, of South Plainfield, New Jersey died on May 21, 2015 in Hinesville, GA. Ryan was born in New Brunswick and raised in North Plainfield until his family moved to South Plainfield in April 2000. He graduated from South Plainfield High School in 2010, furthered his education at Middlesex County College, and Middlesex County Adult Vo-Tech School receiving a certificate in HVAC & Refrigeration. Ryan's Army career began on March 5, 2013 as a Private Second Class and basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He graduated in the top 10% of his class and was promoted to Private First Class. He remained at Fort Sill for advanced training in the 78th Field Artillery and upon graduation was assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia. In November 2014 he was promoted to Specialist. His occupation was Fire Support Specialist (13F) in the HB 1st Battalion, 76th FA Regiment, 4BCT. He was proud to be a "Fister" and looking forward to deploying later this year. Ryan was a young man of traditional values built on a foundation of integrity, love of family, community and his country. He had a natural talent of extending himself and his brotherly love to all that had the opportunity to know him. He was a son that lived a life of 23 short years but in that time was known by all for his caring respect and patriotic love of family, community and country. Our son will forever be remembered by those that he loved, and touched, as a gentle and caring man who was committed to guardian of the American way of life. Ryan was proud to have reached the rank of Life as a Boy Scout in the South Plainfield Troops 207 and 267. He is our loving son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. Ryan loved life and had a mischievous nature about him that made every day wonderful because it kept us on our toes. He touched so many lives with his laughter, smile and pranks. There was a true sentimental nature to Ryan. He loved the outdoors, camping, amusement parks, his rowboat at the lake, the beach in Lavallette and our many vacations, too long to name. The only sports team he followed was the NJ Devils. Ryan had a great love for animals and is missed by his cat, Todd. Ryan is survived by his loving parents, Barbara and Trent Rhoads, and younger brother and sister, Andrew and Hannah Rhoads. Ryan was the best big brother to them. He is also survived by his maternal grandparents, Kenneth and Mary Sarte of North Plainfield, paternal grandparents, Alice and Richard Lee of Zellwood, Florida and Wayne Rhoads of Brazil. His aunts and uncles, Beverly (and Doug) MacGorman, Kenny (and Denise) Sarte, Kevin Sarte, John Newman, Dwayne Rhoads. His cousins Doug Jr. (and Kimberly) MacGorman, Kristen (and Brendan) Boylan and baby Sawyer, Matthew Sarte, Christopher Sarte, Gracie Doyle and Derek Rhoads. Also surviving are members of the Rabon and McClain families as well as numerous loving relatives and friends. He is predeceased by his great-grandmother, Katherine Marie Doyle, great-uncle, John Sarte, and great-aunt, Rose Parella. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 8:30AM in the McCriskin - Gustafson Home for Funerals 2425 Plainfield Ave South Plainfield followed by a 9:30AM Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Czestochowa RC Church, South Plainfield, NJ 07080. Interment will follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 29, 2015 from 2-4 & 7-9pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org