West Mathews Rhoden, 29, of Houston, devoted son, grandson, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, passed away Wednesday at his home. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at the Central Presbyterian Church in Woodway with Rev. Charles Packard officiaiting. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation and viewing will be 6 to 8PM Friday, May 20th at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco. Mr. Roden will be available for viewing on Saturday from 9AM to Noon only. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online Guest Book at www.LakeShoreFuneralHome.com.
West was born February 16, 1982 in Waco to Neal and Melissa (Thompson) Rhoden. He graduated from Midway High School in 2000, Texas A &M University in 2004 with a degree in Chemical Engineering, and from University of Houston Law Center in 2011. He worked for U.R.S. Engineering in Houston and most recently for Cain, Caton and James Law Firm in Houston as an Attorney intern. He was a lifelong member of Central Presbyterian Church. West had a passion for the outdoors, mountain biking, and running with his dog Brody. The highlight of his life was vacationing with his family and spending time with his friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Leon Thompson, Sr.; uncle, James Hill; and cousin, Jacob Hill.
Survivors include his parents Neal and Melissa Rhoden of Waco; brothers, Aubrey Rhoden and wife Ginna, and along with their daughter Jude of Arlington, and Madison Rhoden and fianc
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Neal, Melissa and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about West. I know that are no words to make this better, just know that there is a huge community around you that will be here to help.
Alison Brown
Comet Cleaners
I am truly sorry to hear of West’s passing. He was a wonderful man to work with and I learned a great deal from him.
To West
Melissa and family,
I am so saddened by the loss of your bright and beautiful son, West. My prayers continue for you all. West is making heaven an even better place.
To the family:
Such a hard blow to a lot of people and so hard to take it all in. We are never ready when a loss comes so unexpectedly.
My family and I are there in our hearts with you. I am so so sorry for your loss. There are actually no words or feelings that can help your hurt and pain, but we care, and fine memories are to be cherished.
I certainly will hold on to the exciting adventurous memories of the boys in high school days and,then of course, while rooming together in College Station. Good times, fun times, trying times, and as parents… worrying times, but we have them. Hope you can do the same with cherishing all the wonderful memories. You do know he was a well loved young man and one to be very proud of. His friendship to my kids meant a lot as well as remembrance of such a fine gentleman he always portrayed around me. Prayers and thoughts are there for you.
Beverly Gruetzner Shaw
(Devon and Jeremy Grisham’s mother)
Austin, Texas
West was a colleague and a fellow Aggie on his way to great things. We will miss him at CCJ. May the Lord bless West and be with his family during this difficult time-
We had a lot of great laughs together, and shared a few secrets. You were a great friend and I will miss you, the last thing you told me was "I promise before I leave I’ll be sure to say good-bye" It’s ok that you didn’t as I know you are in a better place.
Love always, Carolyn
Jaudene & family
So sorry to hear of your loss. Please
know you are in our prayers.
Your sister in Christ (FBC Ruth SS Class)
Our thgouths and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God give you the strength to endure your loss. I pray that you will find peace and comfort in God’s promise that he will always be with you.
My friend, I have no idea what to say. A part of me has died today. You were the best friend anyone could ask for,truly and sincerely. Godspeed West, I’ll see you on the other side.
West, you have been so much to so many, it is difficult to find the perfect words when there are none at a time like this. I will miss you very much and my heart goes out to all those whom your life has touched and especially to your family – my thoughts and prayers go out.
Court
West was a great person. He was always smiling and with great attitude. He was interested in your life and how it was going. Nice person to talk!
Rhoden
Melissa and Family, There are so many people who are hurting with you at the sudden and unexpected loss of your precious son. Please know that your many friends at Midway are loving you and holding you up in our prayers. Denise Ballew
Oh, West. We love you so much. You saved my boys lives, you talked to my daughter for hours when her husband died. You had faith in me that no matter what obsticle I had to face, I was going to come out on the better end. We have laughed with you so much. You are one of the finest men I have ever known, but I hope I let you know that all the time. Our lives will never, never be the same.
Doris Coleman:
Please accept my heartfelt condolences in the loss of your beloved West Rhoden. May our Lord keep you in His loving comfort and provide every need in this trying time. I will keep you in my prayers. Doris Coleman
I had the pleasure of meeting West at CCJ last year. Though a quiet guy he was always saying hello everytime I saw him. I loved to hear the stories he would tell me about himself growing up. The one I do remember the most was how he got to where he was, thanking his parents for it. He said they made it possible for him to attend college. His goal was to repay them back everything they spent on him so he can achieve his dream to became that "Big Time Attorney" he wanted to be. West will be dearly missed around our office. May God grant your family Peace in Your Hearts in knowing he was such a great friend and co-worker. See You In Heaven One Day West!
So sorry to hear of West’s passing. He was in one of my law school classes awhile back, and struck me as very bright, professional, and personable individual. God’s blessing on him and all who loved him.
Unfortunately, I did not get to know West all that well. We had a few classes together throughout law school but ours was little more than a passing acquaintance. Still, that was enough to leave me with a very positive impression of him and to make the news of his passing very sad to hear. West had the manners, attitude, and smile of a man with a good heart and the ability to both enjoy life and to bring joy into the lives of those who knew and loved him. I hope those people will take some little comfort from the fact that even a passing acquaintance was enough to recognize that he was a great guy.
We are praying for the Rhoden family at this very difficult time. May God bless you and give you strength.
I really enjoyed working with West because he continually had such a great attitude about his work and his life.
West resides in my heart, as I know he will in yours eternally. West was always so positive and he spent time showing his interest in and concern for others. We shared about our lives, joys, problems and accomplishments. I am SO proud of him and want to let his family know that I learned from West every day! I so appreciate his kind heart and wisdom, which he had much of for a young man. I am proud to be his friend. My prayers are with your family. Janet
Melissa, my heart breaks at the thought of your loss. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers.
West was a student of mine at U of H. Along with being a great student, he was just a really nice man with a wonderful personality. I will miss him. I’m also sad for the environmental legal profession who lost such a bright future star. West certainly made a significant impact on me–and I am grateful that I was able to be in his presence. He again will be missed.
I was a classmate of West’s in law school. I enjoyed getting to know him better last summer in a UH internship program and always enjoyed talking with him – he had a great perspective on life. To his family, my prayers are with you.
I work at Crain, Caton & James and even though West worked here for less than a year, he touched all of us with his friendliness, goodness and charm. I will miss him and his many kindnesses. His giving personality made it so easy and enjoyable to get to know him. He spoke of his family often and was very excited about becoming an uncle.
Mr. and Mrs. Rhoden, I am overwhelmed with sorrow for your loss but I hope you can be comforted from knowing what an exceptional son you raised.
Sincerely,
Judy Riley
To West’s friends and family, I am deeply sorry for your loss. I was in law school with West and loved getting to know him over the last 3 years. He was the nicest guy in our section and a really hard worker. He always seemed to keep things in perspective when the other students were nervous about school. I am sorry that his time was cut much too short. He was an admirable man who will be missed. I am thinking of you all.
You were quite a man. I only new you through my daughter’s eyes but I feel as if I have lost someone very dear. Wish I had gotten to know the the man my daughter knew and loved.
Dear Neil,Mellisa,Aubrey,Madison and Olivia,
I am so sorry for the great loss your family has experienced.I have very fond memories of your family.I remember taking pictures of West and Meghan on their first day of school. Then before we knew it we were taking their picture together at their graduation. It was a pleasure and privledge taking care of West and the rest of your children. My heart goes out to your family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely Kimi Knight from Narrcies house.
I have known West since 1L year of Law School. He was a very kind and caring friend who could always put a smile on my face. I never once saw him upset or down because he was so full of life and optimism. He offered to help me in my Evidence class without me even asking and I know he had offered similar help to other people in our class as well because that was the type of person and friend he was. I was devastated by the news and I actually didn’t believe it. I am very sorry for your loss and there is no doubt that he is resting peacefully in God’s arms.
Sincerely,
Krystal Alanis
West will be missed. He worked for the Harris County Attorney’s Office as an intern last summer. He was well liked and very smart.
Neal and Melissa,
My prayers go out to you in this most difficult time. May God wrap his arms around you and give you comfort in this trying time.
My heartfelt condolences go out to the Rhoden family –
West was a best friend to daughter Kate – and by extention and a few memorable visits, one of ‘my boys’. West was part of my family too. He was a truly empathic and loving man – one of a kind in this world -He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. West is in our hearts and in our minds, taking care of everyone now. Go with God, West. xoxo Mama Lori
Melissa and Neal and family, I want to express my sympathy to all of you. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers each day. I remember meeting West at Patsy’s birthday and having a fun time talking to him. He was a very happy and fun young man. I know there is a huge hole in your hearts right now but know that God will help you through this horrible time.
Dear Melissa and Neal,
Our eldest son Francis just graduated from UHLC last Saturday, so we can in a small way feel the shock and sadness that must have shaken you to the core…please know there are prayers flowing your way. God bless you and give you strength and hope during this unbearably sad time.
Neal, Melissa, and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Our love and sympathy,
Max, Sharon, and family
My deepest thoughts and prayers go out to the Rhoden family. West and I went to school from preK to 12th. He was such a good friend and the kindest person I have ever known. He will be missed.
Meghan
Neal & Melissa,
I am so sorry for your loss. As parents we do not expect to out live our children. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am shocked, and so very sorry to hear about West’s death. I’d only talked with him a few times at UHLC, but that was all it took to realize how great of a guy he was. And what a huge accomplishment he reached just this last weekend. I am so very sorry and hope the family can find some peace during this terribly hard time. He will be missed!
West…you were larger than life in every way my friend. I am forever blessed my life was touched by yours, as are so many others. Your genuine kindness and loving spirit were rare and precious gifts. You accomplished your dreams here on earth and have moved on to bigger work in Heaven. I
To the Rhoden Family:
Please allow me to offer my deepest condolences on your loss.
West was one of my classmates at the University of Houston Law Center. He had a kind word and a friendly smile for everyone he met. Words fail me at this time, but I would like to share my best memory of West with you.
West was kind enough to help me out about a year ago, when my husband was unexpectedly hospitalized. When West found out, he shared his class notes with me and helped me keep current in the classes I missed. West
Mr. and Mrs. Rhoden and family,
I was a co-worker of West’s at Crain Caton and I want you to know that your son was truly admired by everyone here. Such a personable, remarkable and compassionate young man. As my oldest of 2 sons is going off to college in the fall, West was so inspirational to me and allowed me to share with him about my son. My son had only recently started talking about attending law school. West possessed all the wonderful qualities a parent could hope for in a son. I know his family was very important to him. I pray that God will give each of you peace and strength at this difficult time. My heart and prayers go out to you for your loss. Even though it was only for a short time, I feel so blessed to have known West. West you are awesome. May God Bless You All.
As the father of a young man, I know that words cannot express the feelings that West
Our prayers are with you Madison and your family. We love you. Nanny and Tooney
Melissa and family- You are in my prayers. Just know we all love you and will be here for you.
I wish I could there to say goodbye. I will miss your wit and smiling face. Thank you for our talks.
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. You are in our prayers.
Steve, Sandy, Scott, and Stephen Bakalyar
I am so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my prayers.
We can take comfort in knowing that Wests memory will live on in the lives of those he touched and in turn those people will remember a loving son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, a dear friend and a bright young man. ~ Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning~ Psalm 30:5…. Rest in peace little cousin…. I’ll see you again someday
Dear Neil and Melissa and Family. I just saw this on facebook and my heart cries with you. I am so sorry. Tim and I will be praying for you all.
We are so very sorry. Stunned, as everyone is. Growing up together at Central as our children did, they all feel like our sons and daughters. Neal and Melissa, in the days and weeks ahead if we can be there for you in any way, please know how much we want to do that. We love West and all of your family. Bruce and Vicki
RIP West. You’re forever in my heart, as is your family… God bless you!