The friends, family and colleagues gathered in masses yesterday at the Ohio State House to pay their last respects and say good-bye to former Ohio Gov. James A. Rhodes.
Rhodes was the governor of Ohio for 16 years. To his family he was a father, a husband and a grandfather. To his colleagues he was a mentor, a friend and a role model.
Rhodes, 91, died Sunday at Ohio State University Medical Center of complications from an infection and heart failure. He was the only Ohio governor to ever serve four terms.
The memorial service began at 3 p.m. and opened with a welcome and a prayer from Pastor Paul Ulring of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church.
One-by-one the colleagues of the former governor came to the podium to share their fond memories of Rhodes with the people who loved and honored him most.
“There will never be another governor like James Rhodes,” said Ohio Sen. George V. Voinovich. “His actions spoke louder than his words,” he said. Voinovich said that Rhodes genuinely cared about people and wrapped his arms around them regardless of their religion, politics or the color of their skin.
Voinovich said Rhodes was a man who really valued his family. “‘Georgie, take care of your wife and family, they are the most important thing in your life,'” Voinovich said Rhodes would always tell him.
“He was a governor in the 20th century who did not graduate from college,” said Thomas Moyer, Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. “Much of the governor’s success came from his intuition and his common sense.”
The congregation laughed and cried as each of the departeds’ loved ones said goodbye.
At the end of the service the Columbus Police Pipe and Drum Corps escorted the pall bearers out of the State House Atrium playing “Amazing Grace” on the bag pipes. As the State Highway Patrolmen marched closer to the door carrying the casket, many were overcome by emotion.
The pall bearers marched through the rotunda and out into the brisk winter temperatures to place the casket into the hearse.
As the congregation watched them march through the front doors of the State House, a hush fell over them as they remembered the legacy of James A. Rhodes.
