Jay John Rhodes

Jay John Rhodes, 62, of Cape Coral, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on March 25, 2026.

Jay was born in Augusta, Georgia, on January 7, 1964, the youngest of three children, to his parents, Fred Rhodes and Gloria Anderson Rhodes. He spent most of his childhood in Baker, Louisiana, where he developed a love for sports and built lifelong friendships. Whether it was baseball, basketball, or football, he loved being part of a team and the camaraderie that came with it. His childhood friends remember him as the first pick on the field and as the one with a skateboard half pipe in his yard—a place where everyone gathered.

He loved his mama’s cooking, getting pulled out of school to go hunting and fishing with his dad, creating imaginative stories with his sister Fredda, and sharing a love of sports and music with his older brother Mark.

Jay attended Baker High School, where he continued to excel in athletics, earning a full-ride football scholarship to Tulane University. Though he was also offered a scholarship from the University of Texas, he chose to remain close to his family. He was known to his lifelong friends as “Gator,” a nickname earned from his famous breakdancing move. Those friends—Troy “T-Roy” Nettles, Dean “Deano” Nettles, Derrick “Mooney” Hano, Desi “Rapper” Kent, Brent Squires, Scott “Scott Bro,” Breaud, Kevin Brady, and Donny Bostrom—stuck by him for the rest of his life.

He played at Tulane for four years while pursuing his studies, eventually earning a master’s degree in sports medicine. He worked alongside his siblings at their father’s seafood restaurant, where he embraced his love for Cajun food, hard work, and bringing people together around a table. After college, he built a career in sports medicine and later went on to run his own business.

Jay never met a stranger. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and make them laugh before it was over. He had a way of leaving a lasting impression and forming lifelong friendships with ease. He was larger than life. His voice carried across a room, and at 6’3”, he towered over most, but beneath that presence was a deeply sensitive and compassionate man.

He loved deeply and wasn’t afraid to show it. He had a gift for understanding people and knew how to lift someone up when they needed it. He was loyal, kind to his core, and always saw the best in others. He never held a grudge. He was notoriously bad at keeping secrets, and you always knew exactly where you stood with him. He carried a Southern drawl and a love for cooking that made you feel right at home.

He took pride in hosting crawfish boils—gatherings that brought all kinds of people together and introduced many to the flavors, laughter, and traditions of Louisiana. Each year, he and his daughters would each choose a crawfish to spare, later setting them free together in a nearby canal.

If someone was on the side of the road, he would stop without hesitation—offering help, a ride, or a prayer. That was simply who he was.

Jay was a doting father and grandfather. Though he once thought he wanted sons to share sports with, the moment he had his first daughter, his heart was changed forever. He was the epitome of a girl dad. Countless photos reflect the love seen through his eyes, as he was often found with a camera in hand, ready to capture every special moment.

He waited on his daughters, Brooke and Alana, hand and foot. He called Brooke “Pookie” and Alana “Princess,” terms of endearment that followed them well into adulthood. Bedtime was his favorite. He would brush their hair, cuddle them closely into his side, and read stories—often using funny voices for each character. He ended every night with prayer. After tucking his girls in, he would stand in the doorway, smile, and say, “Holler if you need anything!” And if they called, he came—no matter how many times, no matter the reason.

His girls loved to tease him, playing pranks and tactically outwitting him. He never got upset—in fact, he praised their cleverness and welcomed the attention. He had the rare ability to laugh at himself and was never afraid to be exactly who he was.

At his core, Jay was a follower of Jesus Christ. He spoke about God to anyone who would listen and believed deeply in redemption and eternal life. We take comfort in knowing he is now with the Lord he so faithfully sought, reunited in heaven with his mother, Gloria, and his brother, Mark.

He is survived by his father, Fred Rhodes, and his father’s wife, Fern McNabb Rhodes; his sister, Fredda Rhodes; his sister-in-law, Kelly Rhodes; his cousins, Lee Nettles and Billy Williams; his daughters, Brooke Rhodes Asquith (daughter of Cheryl Cooper) and Alana Rhodes Hill (daughter of Rachel Rhodes); his sons-in-law, Dan Asquith and Cory Hill; his nephews, Ryan Lamonte, Austin Lamonte, Matthew Rhodes, and Chase Rhodes; his niece, Hannah Rhodes Harmon; and his grandchildren, Rex Asquith, Max Asquith, and Hayes Hill.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Gloria Anderson Rhodes; his brother, Mark Rhodes; and his grandparents, Fred Rhodes and Mary Livingston Rhodes, and Raul Jeff Anderson and Allie Braswell Anderson.

A celebration of life will be held on April 18th at Cape Christian Church, 2110 Chiquita Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33991.

Guests are welcome to arrive at 9:00 AM to sign in, visit, and spend time together. The service will begin at 10:00 AM.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.